
















































.or '^o 



^ 0.0- 





% « 

Vv 

^ V ^ ’ 






,* > \ 

^ 0 ® " ® -» ^O *'■'•* ^ 

^ ^ A 

* ^ V , ^ '^fN * ^0^ 




0. A '^fv 

•* V '^ • 





0 C ® " ® 



^ ' A 

aP 


s *. <»>• V p '^ • Z ’-' o , 




A -^ *$* ° 

'y 



<b ’■ 


/ * 



- V . A . 


• • 1 ^ • 

o ^ 

»> 5 ^v «. 

< L ^ O -- 





4^ 


o V 


\0 • tV * 


, 0,0 ^ 





H r ;^ 0^ 


o.^' V' r " “ 'o^ .0 


•?- <#- 



-o V ,9'^ ♦ 

z 


<-• 

vP b 


(9 


o -'^- s ^ A 





V 


1*0 


^ <fj ^ 

* ^ A^ 


^O , » * ,0 



0^ o ^'l ® ♦ ^o 


■' V C 

-P « '' 

^ 0^ 

> ^ ® 

^ r\ ^ x\ vsSs^ ^ No~ * 

*••'•’ A° V'-^oO- A A *•-•■ A°' 

C'. .‘/ 0- .--o, -^cv .0^ 








o «5 ^ 

• A 

* o ; 0 o 



O >• V/ 

’ nO ■% 

<« ° 4 . ‘■•'’* 

♦ ^ . aTv^ ^ 



>4 ^ 

V C ^ 

O o '- ' ® ^ 


•n^o^ 


«, ^ ci* « ® ■«<* , 

^ ^ '/•^U\vSS=‘ ^ N,*^ _ 


b V 

\0 » 7 *, * 

A « 

♦ ^ 

X. ■> rs-^ ■* 



- -vC^ 

o V 

.0^ > v^ .< 

^ / "V •, 



k ^ 0 



b V 


V^. 


O H ^ 


s ^ . 


O -O]/ y<V N ^ 

' tw.^ ^ <C/y/ V^ ^ r\ *r* 

« <ir o *0 

’ v?>^ •'•.■'* ^0 _ ^ * 



O w 0 



ft * 




















WHEN MARGARET WAS A 
SOPHOMORE 






'-.•m iTv i' ■ ■ *3^ ■ r ■ ' ' -gy 


-ii 








I FIRMLY BELIEVE YOU WERE A MERMAID 
MELLA, DEAR.” 


^HEN MARGARET 
WAS A SOPHOMORE 

BY 


ELIZABETH HOLLISTER HUNT 

AUTHOR OF “WHEN MARGARET WAS A FRESHfllTN^ ^ 


ILLUSTRATED 


NEW YORK 

MOFFAT, YARD AND COMPANY 
1912 


Copyright, 1912, by 
Moffat, Yard and Company 

NEW YORK 


All rights reserved 
Published September, 1912 


.TABLE OF CONTENTS 


CHAPTER PAGE 

I The Battle of the Buntings ... i 
II The Yellow or the Green . . . . ii 

III College Idylls ....... 20 

IV ‘‘And Rowland to the Dark Tower 

Came ” 30 

V All Their World’s a Play .... 42 
VI Under the Tub the Slipper Goes . 52 
VII Proving Some Things About Girls . 66 
VIII They Would A-Camping Go . . . 74 

IX Where All the Woods Are Green .. 81 
X That Bunch of Bananas .... 92 
XI “ The Murmuring Pines and the 

Hemlocks” .. . 108 

XII The Old Story with a New Ending . 12 1 

XIII Camp Echoes . r. . « r. r. 13 1 

XIV In the Laboratory . 142 

XV Plots and Counterplots . .) . ;. 157 

XVI Lest Auld Customs be Forgot . . . 167 

XVII The Junior Froug . ... .i i.. ... . i77 

XVIII Unwinding Snarls t*, d 1.1 « i.. ci 185 

XIX Clearing-up Showers .. .... 193 

XX To Say Good-by . . ... ., t. . . 206 





r,,.- . , , ’■ 

m'’i'. ■.■■■' '-K'. ■■*- 4 -.-' -.:■ .>,: 


t Jlf«! ' j ' .: . T.' '« • ., t * ' 


• j,- 1 y ' • 


V 

>■' 


t 

*.>' J. 

A. . y> 

' V-'j*A. ' 

' ^ ' . • 

' v- 

- \ 

.• • ■ • ■ r 

t y' ■ r ■ 

: > ‘; 1 


. 

, ..'•. v» 

* * . 

’ i'kii 



' I . 


m 




>> 


7 f^. 




h: 


, :. - ,,: - • .^Jj/ .■_. 

* • -J »• ^ '••* ^ ,t -I 

• '■ • 4 - • • s 

• / ■ »'■ i 


'• <*->-• 4 




■W'i" ^ ‘ ^Z*' - s 

■ ,.' V ^ - .- ■ •■ ‘ -. . V»,. ;•■' V I . 



nc- 




? 


It rf:r 


^ \ • .- 







iV 




r LA>r. . ^ , 4 . . . 


tsj^v,- • ' ' ■ ■' : ■' ■' ■;*• ;■■• ' : 



Uf. 


I 

/ J 



\ » 

. ^ 

4 


• «. * z 

• -> • - ^ 


4 I 


1 -. 9 - 


i 


V ' I* ■ '■* ''■"V ■ '* '■ >‘ ' • 

^ /•■•^ > ■ ,*| 4 /l^-’ vl H ; , , • . n • • ‘V’ • ' ' ' . c/ . ' ' 

'-v ' • ' ' 4 > . 








//v.^ % ^•' / 

(m 


L!*** 


:rm 




'i^'T ; — nr ■ ' t 

Aj» •■»•>. ^ f ** ' 

Mf..-^’ ‘r" T'‘-*i .: , 

Wni‘ ■ r^’is-‘-^': 

. * V/'>^ 7'>/wP^w* iV^^' '*^ ■* ' ' 


'1 



•I ■' Tk'j' '•■ ; 1 







LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 


I firmly believe you were a mermaid, Mella 
dear” Frontispiece 

FACING PAGE 

Sue Brown took her place on the ten-foot line . .18 ^ 

I’ll wager my spring hat, it is a fraternity stunt ” 96 

“Would you like to take it home and read it?” . 160 



WHEN MARGARET WAS A 
SOPHOMORE 


CHAPTER I 

THE BATTLE OF THE BUNTINGS 

“ Oh, Ethel, these stairs 1 I know their squeaks 
will wake up every freshman in the place 1 ” Mar- 
garet Winters whispered excitedly to Ethel Hall 
as they tiptoed down the back stairs of Ware 
Hall, their arms full of bundles. “ Let’s hurry 
and get the dining-room doors shut before the 
others get down. That’s one step toward vic- 
tory.” 

It was eleven-thirty on the night of November 
twenty-first, in Margaret Winters’ sophomore year 
at Ainsley, — the night before the big freshman- 
sophomore game. To be the first to get their 
colors up in the dining-rooms of the residence 
halls on this particular night, and to prevent the 
freshmen from flying their banner in the gymna- 
sium before the game on the twenty-second, were 
feats worthy of the sophomores’ keenest efforts. 


1 


2 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 


As freshmen they had been defeated in all their 
struggles against the sophomores, with the single 
exception of their class election, which, as those 
who followed Margaret and her friends through 
her first year, will remember, was carried to com- 
plete success by Margaret’s and Ethel’s ready wit. 
This year as sophomores they must not be out- 
witted by the freshmen. 

“ Oh, girls, girls, I feel thrilled to the bone I 
It’s almost as ravishing as our freshman journey 
with ‘ Gabe ’ and the sophs,” Mildred Arthur 
exclaimed as the girls rather anxiously opened the 
dining-room doors and stepped inside, fearing lest 
the freshmen might be ahead of them. Before 
they could recover their balance, Mildred had 
danced them half across the floor, endangering 
their secret at every step forward in the dark. 

“ Mildred, for pity’s sake, stop ! We shall 
have the freshmen upon us before we can get our 
colors over the chandeliers,” Margaret implored, 
freeing herself from Mildred’s grasp. 

“ Ye-es um! When Baby Stuart speaks, Mil- 
dred bends to listen I ” provokingly. The girls 
giggled. It was a vivid reminder of those fresh- 
man days when Mildred had led the fight against 
Margaret and her candidate for class president. 

Ethel, meanwhile, with the help of several of 


BATTLE OF THE BUNTINGS 3 

her classmates, had begun to unroll the yellow 
bunting preparatory to attaching the strands to the 
chandeliers — there were five of them, one in the 
middle and two at each end. The bunting, once 
caught to these, must be fastened over the fire- 
places at each end of the room. This done, the 
room was theirs to do with as they chose. Their 
work must be rapid. The freshmen were a lively 
crowd, and twelve strong In Ware, against the ten 
sophomores. 

Ignoring Mildred’s fling, Margaret picked up 
the stepladder, caught Mildred by the arm and 
started resolutely for the center chandelier. 
Mounting instantly, she called to the girls, 

“ Quick I Ethel, Mildred, give me the four 
ends; I’ll fasten them here.” As she knotted 
them, one of the girls at the door opened it cau- 
tiously and looked out. 

‘‘ Girls, the freshmen are loose in the upper 
hall collecting their forces; be quick I” Marga- 
ret had finished tying the ends. 

‘‘Here, Ethel, tack those two ends over that 
fireplace, while Mildred and I take the other I ” 
Margaret commanded in low tones. “ No frills 
! — those can come after I ” starting down the lad- 
der as she spoke. 

Mildred and several of the girls picked up the 


4 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

ladder and started at an unsettling pace toward the 
fireplace. Margaret clung on for dear life, and 
the goal would have been reached in triumph, had 
not Mildred taken a notion to whirl-about-face. 
With a clatter that would have raised the Seven 
Sleepers, to say nothing of very alert and wary 
freshmen, the ladder and Margaret descended. 

“ Oh, Mildred, It’s just like you I ” from Ethel, 
who was desperately tacking her two strands on 
the farther side of the room, and “ Sh-h-hs I ” 
came from the excited classmates, and giggles from 
the tangle of girls. 

“Jack went up and down the ladder, 

Jill came meekly tumbling after,”. , 

Mildred hummed, tugging off the ladder toward 
the fireplace. 

Ethel had finished her work at the other end and 
was making her way toward Margaret and her 
group. Suddenly the door was thrown open, and 
a guard cried, “ The Freshies are on the stairs ! ” 

“ Here, Margaret, climb on our shoulders and 
tack the last strand,” Ethel urged, pushing her 
hammer and tacks into Margaret’s hands. 

It was the work of half a minute for the girls 
to lift Margaret to the mantel and steady her there 
while she fastened the last end. 

“ Can’t hold the door another minute I ” came 


BATTLE OF THE BUNTINGS 


S 


from Mary Marsh. Margaret hammered desper- 
ately; one more whack would make it secure. 
There was a giving of doors and in rushed the fran- 
tic freshmen. Ethel snapped out the light. Mar- 
garet gave the final bang, lost her balance, and 
jumped back over the girls’ heads, landing in the 
circle of dark-bewildered freshmen with their roll 
of bunting. One of their number turned on the 
light. The picture was too much for all. Mar- 
garet sat in an abject, laughing heap on the vivid 
green bunting, the astonished freshmen gazing at 
her. Conquering and conquered were tangled up 
together. 

“ * Oh, backward, turn backward, O Time, in thy flight, 
Make me a freshman again just for to-nighti*” 

sang Mildred, still perched upon the ladder by the 
fireplace, hugely enjoying her friend’s plight. 

Then Sue Brown, the ringleader of the fresh- 
men, turned and whispered something to the girl 
next to her. Margaret felt herself suddenly un- 
seated, and before either she or her mates could 
prevent, the freshmen began to roll her toward 
the hall door. Mildred was the first to rally the 
sophomore forces, and start toward their captain’s 
rescue. The impetus of the dash was so great 
that for a moment there was a scene nearer a foot- 
ball scrimmage than anything else. Ethel alone 


6 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

had kept her head, and, turning off the light, took 
advantage of the tussle to set Margaret free. 
When the light came on again, she stood, swathed 
in bunting, amid a group of friends; and the fresh- 
men, much disheveled, were in a defensive huddle 
near the doors. Suddenly In the door appeared 
two senior and junior proctors. The tumult had 
been unprecedented in the history of the hall. 

The sophomores, however, were not to be awed. 
Their blood was up. In hushed tones they began 
to sing : 

Ta ta, babies, run along to your beddies. 

Down on Mater’s pillows put your worried heads; 

Sugar plums you’ll dream of soon, 

Candy tarts, and p’raps the moon — < 

The proctors interfered at this point. The time 
for their songs was not now. At five-thirty it 
would be their privilege to rouse the drowsy slum- 
berers, but not at twelve. So the defeated 
freshmen and the proctors departed, and the soph- 
omores, after giving the finishing touches to the 
decorations, even to tying big yellow bows on the 
freshmen’s chairs, retired to snatch a few feverish 
winks of sleep before the excitement of the next 
day should begin. 

At just five-thirty o’clock, on the morning of that 
eventful twenty-second of November, the sopho- 


BATTLE OF THE BUNTINGS 


7 


mores stole from their rooms, clad in warm bath- 
robes, and tiptoed cautiously up to the room of 
the freshman captain. Sue Brown. Silently they 
squatted in a semicircle opposite the door. Then, 
at a signal from Mildred, they began to sing, in 
untiring^persistency through all its refrains, the fol- 
lowing words to the tune of “ Forty-nine Blue 
Bottles a Rangin’ on the Wall ” : 

Ten-and-two green freshmen a-sleeping in the hall, 

Sophs one freshman wake, she rubs her sleepy eyes, 

And there’s ten-and-one green freshmen a-sleeping in the hall. 

Ten-and-one green freshmen a-sleeping in the hall, 

One meets a sophomore a-hurrying all around. 

And there’s nine-and-one green freshmen a-sleeping in the hall. 

Nine-and-one green freshmen a-sleeping in the hall. 

Till one hears a clash and runs to Captain Brown, 

And there’s eight-and-one green freshmen a-sleeping in the hall. 

Eight-and-one green freshmen a-sleeping in the hall. 

She knows the crash and hurries all around. 

And there’s seven-and-one green freshmen a-dressing in the hall. 

Seven-and-one green freshmen a-dressing in the hall. 

One hears a sophomore tack, faints one freshman green. 

And there’s six-and-one green freshmen a-hurrying to the scene. 

Six-and-one green freshmen a-hurrying to the scene. 

Peeps one freshman in and sees the sophomore bunting. 

And there’s five-and-one green freshmen a-crowding round the 
door. 


Five-and-one green freshmen a-crowding round the door. 

Drops one freshman in, the rest a-sprawling on the floor. 

And there’s one-and-four green freshmen a-gazing at the starsi 


8 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 


Four-and-one green freshmen a-gazing at the stars, 

Gets one a bright idea and hurries it around. 

And there’s three-and-one green freshmen a-playing nine pins 
in the hall. 


Three-and-one green freshmen a-pIaying nine pins in the hall, 
Sophs seize their bunting and drive them to the door. 

And there’s two-and-one green freshmen a-huddling in the dark. 

Two-and-one green freshmen a-huddling in the dark, 

Proctor takes one freshman and hurries her away. 

And there’s one-and-one green freshmen a-looking sheepish in 
the hall. 

One-and-one green freshmen a-looking sheepish in the hall, 

Sophs scare one more and send her off to bed. 

And there’s nought-and-one green freshman a-shrinking fast 
away. 

As the singing progressed, doors began to open 
all along the corridor. Here and there sleepy ob- 
jects crawled out, huddled up in front of half-open 
doors, laughed in spite of themselves, then crawled 
back to deserted beds, not too long occupied. The 
song never ceased, never varied, as they passed 
from freshman door to freshman door. On each 
new floor they began the verses all over again and 
beat them through to the end. Bedroom slippers, 
powder-puffs, books, and various other bouquets 
greeted their progress in the sleep-murdering cru- 
sade. The protests were loudest from the juniors 
and freshmen, but even the seniors, their sister 


BATTLE OF THE BUNTINGS 


9 


class, showed signs of restiveness under its mo- 
notony. At just seven they crept back to their 
rooms to get ready for breakfast. 

When Margaret and Ethel reached their room 
on “ Fifth Avenue,” they found Katharine Bird, 
their roommate, already up and dressed. Despite 
the fact that she was a junior, the sister class of 
the freshmen, her interest was keen in the sopho- 
more fun. The two girls in consequence felt no 
hesitation in recounting the day’s lark to her. 

A year’s association with Katharine, from whom 
Mildred, Ethel, and Margaret had received their 
first initiation into college life, had made their in- 
terests one. Three of the other junior members 
of the octet, Araminta Briggs, Polly Waters, 
and Flossy Barnes were back, and as much at home 
In the new quarters on “ Fifth Avenue ” as they 
had been in twenty-nine “ Pie Alley,” Margaret’s 
and Katharine’s room the year before. 

The change of residence had come about very 
naturally. Upon their return to college In the fall, 
Katharine and Margaret had found the large, 
three-room suite on the second floor unexpectedly 
given up. This enabled them to carry out a 
scheme to reduce Ethel Hall’s expenses, which they 
had seen no way to do when they parted in June. 


lo MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 


By a special arrangement with the matron and 
dean, Ethel’s part In the suite would be less than 
half what she would pay In a room by herself, and 
she need know nothing of their part in making this 
possible. 


CHAPTER II 

THE YELLOW OR THE GREEN 

The intervening hours between the early morn- 
ing serenade and the contests in the gymnasium at 
ten o’clock were very busy ones for the sopho- 
mores. Every avenue of approach to the gymna- 
sium must be watched, each group of freshmen 
challenged lest that banner should be smuggled 
into the building. The sophomores were deter- 
mined to follow up the victory of the night before 
by a day of triumphs. When the hour arrived, 
it seemed to them that no vigilance could have been 
stricter to insure this longed-for consummation, 
and Margaret, the captain of the basket ball 
team, felt confident that her team was ready to 
meet triumphantly that of the freshmen. 

Each of the four classes of Ainsley had a cor- 
ner of the big gymnasium gallery draped with its 
respective color. Back of each were the girls be- 
longing to that special class, as many as could be 
packed in. They were all in white, distinguished 
in group by their class color only. Under the gal- 
lery, on the floor of the building, were four other 
II 


12 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 


groups, packed closely on stands the shape of re- 
versed pyramids. On one side were the two sister 
classes, the freshmen and juniors; on the other, 
the seniors and sophomores. Distinguishing each 
company was the class color in great profusion. 

Suddenly there was a scream of wildest triumph 
from the freshman end of the gallery. Those 
from beneath the balcony rushed toward the cen- 
ter of the floor. There stood one of the freshmen 
defiantly flinging the gorgeous green banner to the 
breeze, 1912 in brilliant gold, proclaiming to all 
their success. Girls hurried from the floor to the 
gallery, jumping up and down, running hither and 
thither, waving pennants, cheering. On the soph- 
omores’ faces were consternation, bewilderment. 
Had they not searched that very girl, challenged 
every freshman or group of freshmen entering the 
gym that morning I 

“ That tangle of yours in their green bunting 
was prophetic. Baby Stuart,” Mildred cried, as 
Margaret rushed up to her in the turmoil. 

The sophomores were left no time to solve the 
problem. There was more fun coming at their 
expense. In the midst of it all, Katharine Bird 
was on her feet before the freshman-junior stands 
beating time. 

“ Now, one, two, three ! ” 


THE YELLOW OR THE GREEN 13 

“ Zh-zh-zh-zhee-e-e-eee I ” Katharine held the 
voices to the last sound with a prolonged rise, 
her arm trailing upwards and holding its poise 
for fully a quarter of a minute. So like a sky- 
rocket was the effect that a round of applause broke 
from every part of the room, even from the soph- 
omores and seniors, as she finished. Katharine 
turned in her vivacious way, bowed to all sides in 
true conductor fashion, reminding her classmates 
and the other girls who knew her in her sophomore 
year, of the gracious manners of “ Monsieur 
Beaucaire,’* the character she had impersonated at 
the Thanksgiving fete the year before. 

Without waiting for the cheering wholly to sub- 
side, the girls began to sing to the air of “ Mary 
and Martha,” their song learned for the occasion, 
some lines of which were filled in impromptu to 
suit the turn of affairs: 

The sophomores and seniors have hunted all around. 
The sophomores and seniors have hunted all around, 
The sophomores and seniors have hunted all around. 
To find that freshman banner. 

Crying, “Who has that banner green,” 

Who has that banner green? 

Who has that banner green? 

It must not fly to-day.” 

1‘hey painted yellow the dining-rooms, 

They painted yellow the dining-rooms. 

They painted yellow the dining-rooms. 

And tied their bunting up. 


14 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

Crying, "Oh, where’s our captain, oh? 

Oh, where’s our captain, oh? 

Oh, where’s our captain, oh? 

That made the gallant leap ? ” 

The freshman bunting’s swaddling her, 

The freshman bunting’s swaddling her, 

The freshman bunting’s swaddling her, 

Your gallant Baby Stuart. 

Floating, do you see that banner now, 

Do you see that banner now, 

Do you see that banner now, 

You tried so hard to pinch? 

A padding warm for a freshman’s coat, 

A padding warm for a freshman’s coat, 

A padding warm for a freshman’s coat, 

It ’scaped the soph-xray. 


Instantly upon the completion of this song the 
sophomores and seniors took the floor and began 
their retort, Mildred Arthur leading, her fun not 
the least daunted by the witticisms at her class- 
mates’ expense. The song was set to the tune of 
“ Massa’s In the cold, cold ground.” It was a 
daring piece of sophomore boast in face of present 
defeat, and before the coming battle. The sec- 
ond stanza had to be made to fit the conditions : 


Round de galleries am a-ringin’ 
De freshmen’s mournful song, 
While de sophomores am a-singin* 
Happy as de day am long. 


15 , 


THE YELLOW. OR THE GREEN 

Chorus 

Down on de gym floor, 

Hear dat mournful sound, 

All de freshies am a-weepin’, 

Soph’mores got de game for shore! 

.Where de banner am a-floppin’ 

O’er de polished rail, 

Dere bright freshies am a-hoppin’. 

Never thinkin’ they can fail. Chorus. 

When de freshies all were sleepin’. 

In dere beds so bold, 

’Twas hard to hear those soph’mores creepin’, 

Cayse it was so dark and cold. Chorus. 

Now de orange buntin’s floating. 

O’er de dining-room, 

Now de banner green am croaking, 

“Freshies, you hab laughed too soon.” Chorus. 

Freshies love de banner’s color, 

Cayse it am so bright. 

Soon dey’ll sadly change dat color, 

Cayse it lost de fight. Chorus. 

Dey will not work to-morrow, 

Cayse de tear-drops flow; 

Dey’ll try to drive away der sorrow, 

Harpin’ on dat lined coat so! Chorus. 

A real Topsy could not Have given the part 
better than Mildred gave it, spiritedly seconded 
by her supporters, and the efforts were heartily 
cheered by the great throng. When both teams 
came out upon the floor, the two contesting parties 


i6 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 


sang songs; through the din names of different 
players could just be heard. 

Then the whistle sounded; the two captains, 
Margaret Winters and Sue Brown, gave their sig- 
nals to their teams, and the jumping centers took 
their places. The silence was tense. At the first 
toss-off the ball went spinning toward the freshman 
goal, accompanied by wild cheering from their 
side. Before the sophomore guard could prevent, 
the ball had been tossed by Sue Brown straight 
into the basket, making the score 2 to o in favor 
of the freshmen. The green pennants could not 
wave frantically enough to express their feelings. 
Margaret was going from one player to another 
giving whispered directions. 

Again the whistle sounded. The centers were 
in place ; and every girl in that throng was eagerly 
leaning forward to catch each play. This time the 
ball started again toward the freshman goal, but 
it did not reach the alert forward. Mary Marsh 
caught it in mid-air, twirled it over her head with 
a backward stroke ; it was caught by the side cen- 
ter, passed to the jumping center, and at a num- 
ber-signal from Margaret tossed to her. Before 
her guard could reach the place, Margaret had it 
in the basket and the sophomores were storming 
the room with their triumph. 


THE YELLOW. OR THE GREEN 17 

Fight as the two sides would, brilliant as the 
plays were on both sides, rapid and accurate as 
were the team-plays, the first half whistle blew 
time with the score a tie. Singing again filled in 
the intermission. Yet when that whistle blew for 
the last half, attention was at once caught. 
Would it be the yellow or the green that had 
“ laughed too soon ” ? The next ten minutes 
would tell the story. 

“ Stick to your girl I Don’t let her get an 
inch from you! Use the number-signal! Pass! 
Don’t risk long throws! We’ve got to win!” 
Margaret’s words carried determination to every 
one of her team. 

The first five minutes of the second half were 
taken up by one side or the other’s getting the ball 
out-of-bounds. Then Margaret overreached her- 
self, in jumping for the ball, and went over the 
line. This gave her opponent the chance to gain 
a point by tossing the ball into her basket. With 
all that counterplay of intense thought riveted 
upon her, Sue Brown took her place on the ten- 
foot line, and measured the space with her eye. 
One feint, then another, then straight into that 
basket she shot the ball. The uproar was deafen- 
ing. 

The umpire was again balancing her ball over 


i8 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 


the jumping centers. There were only four min- 
utes left to save the day. Even Mildred was 
looking serious. It began to look pretty dark for 
her class. After the first toss-off, the ball went 
out of bounds, giving it to the yellows. Back it 
went into the center, was caught by the greens, and 
reached Sue Brown’s hands. Then a shrill signal 
from Margaret woke up the sophomore guard. 
The ball was struck to the center as it left the 
captain’s hands, passed to the other side center, 
and tossed high into the air toward Margaret. 
Leaping like a wildcat, she caught it and, almost 
before touching her feet to the floor, had it in the 
basket, making the score 4 to 3 in the sophomores’ 
favor. Scarcely were the figures on the board 
and the players hurrying to their places in the 
confusion when the whistle blew for game. The 
sophomores had won. 

Margaret and Sue hurried towards each other 
and shook hands heartily. Katharine ran out 
eagerly and gave Margaret a hearty hug, then she 
went off with the freshman captain and the crowds 
of their supporters toward their end of the floor. 
The sophomores and seniors from galleries and 
floor lifted Margaret into a tiny automobile cov- 
ered with the yellow, and drawn by eager girls; 
forming a large ring about each team, they began 



UJUULJLXnil 


□□□□□□« 

□□□□□□Da 


J^LqpDGGDnf V' 
I LDDiZDOlGEyG Jh 


mm 


le/rUOYiokiO 


SUE BROWN TOOK HER PLACE ON THE 
TEN-FOOT LINE 





,;’ ■ TT fl, u • 't\S' 

- '•**<•*■ - ^ 


r.’^ 

• ^ri T 


fS«'jL^s!!*?;gS2^'^, , „V-. - r .» ,', . iisa 

i(^T£:’m^ ■ -^ ' . '.:ii' >■ ••■?; ’A '• 'g 




t 


i" ^ 

* . r3:i ,-'tr v^..- ,,. . . ■ 

» V TL»^ I . • • 


i<j -,*:■ -JBS -t**^ '■ 

40 ^ ‘ ijb^r ^ w 


\< 


.. iy?‘^ ;w- ’ '• 



»-«7: . ti ■■ . ^ 



iTI V Ji iW ,^S* 'U^ ' 





: ■ < #•- fSc.'tf'y 


■* * .* e«r.' 





^ ■ ■ i^m 

1.^- u%-r 

■v.;i ^,f.u3 






<;■ , ->%'■ \ ¥ ^ 






THE YELLOW OR THE GREEN 19; 

their fun. In each ring all kinds of antics were 
being performed. Member after member of the 
teams was run around the rings again and again 
till their energies seemed to have spent them- 
selves, and the weary teams were allowed to make 
their way to the dressing rooms. 

“ Oh, Kiddle, I’m so proud of you I ” Katharine 
whispered, squeezing Margaret’s arm as she 
pushed her way through the crowd to the dressing 
room. 

“ Could never have done it, Katharine, if I 
hadn’t been such a boy when a youngster, and 
learned to jump. I can’t help wishing Bob could 
have seen the results of his training,” Margaret 
confided to Katharine that night when they were 
at last alone and quiet for the first time in twen- 
ty-four hours. 


CHAPTER III 


COLLEGE IDYLLS 

“The shadows of senior dignity are beginning 
to darken my declining college years,” sighed Ara- 
minta, throwing herself into Katharine’s tempting 
morris chair the next afternoon. “ If I could 
only throw them off as you do, Puck, or take them 
in Flossy’s prosaic way I There’s that awful Eng- 
lish 12 1 I’ve tried in vain to evade my fate. 
Nothing else I could take to ease the load.” 

“ Poor Mrs. Atlas I I’m so sorry for you. 
Do hitch the load on to the senior shoulder, my 
dear Araminta; I’m afraid your junior one will 
get one-sided,” Katharine advised from her work 
at the desk. 

“ You’re absolutely no judge for the rest of us 
earthly mortals. Puck. I know that by the time 
I’ve had back that heart-rending, mark-splitting 
pack of themes I’ll be gray around the temples, a 
sure sign of overwork.” 

“ All of which goes to show how wise I was to 
take that load upon my giddy sophomore shoul- 


20 


COLLEGE IDYLLS 


21 


ders. But far weightier matters are pressing upon 
us, my dear,” Katharine replied impressively. 

“ As if anything could be weightier I ” 

“ A check, a check ! All my own, too I ” 

“ Let my famished eyes rest upon it. Baby 
Stuart, this Instant I ” Araminta cried as they 
gathered about Margaret after her dramatic 
entrance. 

“Fifty dollars, so late in the month I Who 
ever knew an orthodox college girl with such an 
amount? ” 

“ Well, I’ll explain when you calm yourselves,” 
holding the check aloft. “ I earned all of it this 
summer at home, at the expense of every friend I 
have,” pausing for her words to take due effect 
upon her audience. “ Not one but would run at 
sight of my shadow. But It’s worth it all, — the 
relief to my feelings. That’s my share of the 
scholarship fund,” flapping the check down in 
front of Katharine, who was still sitting at the 
desk. 

The fund to which Margaret referred was the 
one earned by the girls the year before to help 
May Keating, Margaret’s senior, through the rest 
of the year. They had all promised to raise money 
during the summer vacation to complete this sum 
for a scholarship. 


22 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 


“ There are twenty-five dollars lacking to make 
up the sum. All have done their stunts but 
Topsy,’’ Katharine added mercilessly. 

“ Oh, Puck, honestly I meant to I How could 
anybody be expected to take up collections on ship- 
board, coaches, and in railway compartments, or 
pile up funds traveling I What’s started it up 
again? I thought it had died a natural death or 
was gathering moss in the bank.” 

“ Direst need. Miss Topsy,” Flossy answered 
relentlessly; “we have a social problem to solve 
worse than any Prof. Carter ever gave us.” 

“ Woe’s me ! A long farewell to all my fudge- 
ice creams, sodas, matinees — how can a fellow be 
expected to reform in so many ways at once I ” 
sinking in a meek little heap on the floor at Ara- 
minta’s feet. 

“No one, my dear, has so far departed from 
her senses as to expect it,” Polly assured her, ad- 
justing the hoops on her embroidery. 

“That’s it; I’m never taken seriously. How 
can you expect me to ? ” 

“ Well, brushing reforms aside for the moment, 
Puck, what’s the latest? ” Polly asked. 

“Girls, Miss Deering — ” 

“ No wonder I couldn’t reform I ” 


COLLEGE IDYLLS 


23 


“ Miss Deering,” glancing icily at Mildred, who 
was silenced for the moment by Araminta’s hand, 
“ has just sent word to the charter promulgators 
of the—” 

“ Puck, if you commit such a word again Fll 
depart. I really can’t after that session with the 
conference man; It’s the dram too much!” Ara- 
mlnta protested. 

“The charter promulgators — ” prompted 
Polly. 

“ Of the fund,” Katharine continued, “ should 
now be ready to disburse — ” (groans from Ara- 
mlnta). “In plainer English for your over- 
wrought mind, dear Araminta, we’re asked seri- 
ously by our dean to take upon our hands one who 
has been of our circle, but Is now deserted by her 
foster father and left with only her New York 
friends to do what they can to keep her in col- 
lege 

“ The Princess ! ” came in a breath from sev- 
eral. 

“ You level at my meaning.” 

“ And worst of all, she can’t even make a bed, 
darn a stocking — why, I could do those I ” 

“ Yes, Kiddle, more or less, but this lady, as you 
all know, is a brand from the Tower of Babel — 


24 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

Hottentot, Chinese, Jap, and a sprinkling of 
French, so you mustn’t expect too much of the 
mixture.” 

“That’s where she gets her adorable manners 
and indescribable clothes,” Polly added. 

“ I told Miss Deering we’d do our best to cast 
about her our practical atmosphere, moral props, 
et cetera, but no one but Venus should attempt her 
draperies.” 

“ No, we’d spoil her to reform her. If we 
take her, it must be intact,” Araminta concluded. 

“ Girls, you know we can never give her enough 
from the fund for all her frills. We’ve got to put 
some real sense in her head if we have to drive it 
there with hatpins I ” 

“ I’d just like to see even you do it. Flossy. I 
went downtown the other day with her, and she 
bought six pairs of silk stockings, and two satin 
petticoats, — the kind that just go with her, — and 
five pairs of gloves I She has no end of them in 
her room, just a little soiled or ripped. I de- 
murred gently, humbly, almost telling her the rea- 
son, and she sweetly beamed, — you know that 
beam, — and said, ‘ Why, but I couldn’t wear 
cotton, now could I, really?’” The murmur 
from the girls showed their appreciation of the 


case. 


COLLEGE IDYLLS 


25 


“ I can hear those siren tones now I No, girls, 
Araminta’s right; intact’s the word,” Polly de- 
cided. 

“ Well, I’ve been her devoted slave — 

“ Crush, Mildred, is really the proper word, 
you know — only to crushes do people hand over 
their pack of themes for artistic modification,” was 
Katharine’s thrust. 

“ Though trampled to earth I’ll rise in my own 
defense I She asked for them — I’d like to have 
seen one of you refuse I You know. Puck, you’re 
as badly crushed as any one.” 

“We admit, Topsy, my dear, our deep devo- 
tion, but deplore that you, who are so devoted to 
reform, should be the one to lead her from the 
paths of college morality.” Poor Mildred’s re- 
solve the previous year to reform would persist 
in facing her at every turn. 

“But, Puck, what’s the plan of campaign?” 
Flossy demanded. 

“ There isn’t any. Hence this solemn confer- 
ence.” 

“ Well, what’s done is done. But we at least 
ought to inveigle her ‘ into mending those silk 
stockings and gloves so that no more raids need be 
made on the puny bank account for such absurd 
frills.” 


26 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

“ Miss Deering has already delicately started 
her In the simple life by persuading her to take the 
little corner gable-room upstairs In this hall, and 
now she depends on our genius to give her some 
moral support.’^ 

“I have It, I have It I Darn, darn; Polly, all 
such dainties must be put aside ; stockings Instead ; 
discuss economy; Mildred can dissertate upon the 
foolish expense of fudge-ice cream and matinees; 
we’ll all talk of the joys of the simple life, — In 
fine, the play’s the thing to drive it home ! ” Ara- 
minta exclaimed. 

“Well, girls, little as we’re addicted to such 
stern realities, I would far rather do It than return 
to slavery,” Polly commented. 

“ Girls, to rise to this climax of our existence 
we’ve got to ‘ screw our courage to the sticking 
point ’ and resist those darling wiles I I fear me 
we are too full o’ the milk of human weakness to 
take the nearer way,” Araminta expostulated. 

“ We’ve just two hundred dollars on hand at 
present. What May returns this spring will help. 
What did that shopping expedition cost. Baby 
Stuart?” 

“ Twenty-five dollars.” 

“ Of course, we can depend on your reform 
fund for that amount, Topsy?” 


COLLEGE IDYLLS 


27 

A sigh was the only reply Mildred gave to 
Katharine’s hit. 

**Topsy, would a cup of my soothing tea con- 
sole you? ” Polly queried. 

“ Yes — um I Even a scalding would not be felt 
now.” 

“ Oh, Ethel, couldn’t you get an express cart to 
assist you in lugging home your books?” Kath- 
arine asked, as Ethel entered with her arms full of 
books from the library. 

“ I don’t know, Katharine, but I’ll have to to 
get all the reading done for the theme,” Ethel de- 
clared, dropping her load of books on a chair. 

“ Please, please, Ethel, I had almost forgotten 
that dreadful subject in this strenuojas new phase of 
life I ” Araminta groaned. 

“ My Guardian, I have needed you I ” Mildred 
complained. ‘‘ I can just see how you’ll enjoy 
tackling this new victim’s reform. She purrs 
when I sit for an improvement; what will It be 
with the Princess ! ” 

A very gentle knock was that instant heard. In 
response to Katharine’s “ come,” a tall, willowy 
girl entered. Her eyes had no definable color, — 
lustrous, dreamy depths that made you think of 
stories you’ve dreamed or read. Her skin was of 
ivory clearness with a faint pink beneath It, and 


28 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 


her glossy black hair was clustered about the face, 
and coiled in a knot at the nape of her neck. She 
wore a soft, clingy satin dress in a shade of blue 
that suggested far-olf lands where blue skies for- 
ever dream in blue, blue depths of shimmering 
lakes. 

“ Oh, Polly, I love to see you pour tea — the 
gold-edged cup this time, please ; just a nabisco. I 
felt like this,” settling back among the pillows. 

All admitted that Polly poured with fewer 
flourishes when Mella was present. There was 
always a difference when she was by; yet no one 
could have told just what it was. Mella Cosimo 
had come to the college In the fall, attracting In- 
stant attention because of her unusual beauty and 
singular charm of manner; yet she had seemed to 
repel all approaches, until Katharine had discov- 
ered her loneliness and adopted her. The girls 
had resented the intrusion, but shamed by Kath- 
arine’s democratic spirit, and really fascinated as 
they came under Mella’s spell, had finally accepted 
her as one of the group. She provoked, puzzled, 
and held them by turns. Now that she was in 
need, each girl would take hold of the problem in 
her characteristic way. To Margaret it would be 
a task to be undertaken In her impulsive, energetic 
fashion; to Polly a diversion, rather Interesting; 


COLLEGE IDYLLS 


29, 


to Araminta’s dramatic mind, a delightful comedy 
or a possible tragedy ; Flossy, much disgusted with 
her lack of common sense in most ways, would 
nevertheless give very valuable aid; Katharine, 
who never appeared to carry any burden, would 
yet guide and manage the whole situation; Mil- 
dred was in no way to be depended upon beyond 
the whim of the moment. 

Despite the serious resolves of this jolly circle 
of girls, the conversation, as always, was kept in 
channels that seemed to fit the new member; nor 
was any step taken this time toward the “ reform ” 
to be effected in this irresponsible, fascinating 
alien. 

“ Well, Katharine, I don’t believe we can ever 
do what Miss Deering’s asked of us,” Margaret 
declared when the girls had gone. 

“ Does look pretty big, Katharine.” 

“ Now, girls, if you want to take this in camel- 
fashion, you may; but I’m not going to grow a 
hump over it; I prefer my present proportions. 
You know we’ve not got to do it all in a minute,” 
with that quick, bright smile that removed moun- 
tains. 


CHAPTER IV. 


AND ROWLAND TO THE DARK TOWER 
CAME ” 

“ What a stewpan sort of a name ^ Carl Fry I 
Think of it, Baby Stuart, an entire man to your- 
self — a brother of one of those friends from 
whom you wrung your fund this summers^ now 
own up I ’’ Mildred cried, holding the card aloft as 
she danced about the little study on the Saturday 
night following the conference over Mella 
Cosimo’s fortunes. 

“What are you talking about, Mildred? — ^a 
man I Never heard of him I ” Margaret declared 
positively when she finally succeeded in getting the 
card from Mildred. 

Margaret had just returned from a conference 
with Miss Deering over the fund, and some of her 
own work which was not giving satisfaction, and 
was feeling somewhat “ low in her mind,” as Kath- 
arine always called her discouraged spells. 

“ I know, Katharine, there’s some silly mis- 
take.” 

“ Oh, no, Kiddie, there’s no mistake ; there can’t 

ao 


''AND ROWLAND CAME^^ 


31 


be; the gallant Rowland will return to his tower at 
eight-thirty. He wants no other than the Mar- 
garet Winters from K. C.” 

“ The plot assumes depth I Margaret, don 
your most spell-binding gown — the one Bob most 
approves,” Mildred advised, well knowing how 
her flings about this favorite brother touched her 
friend. 

“Come, Kiddie, only fifteen minutes I The 
lavender one ! You must not keep such an ardent 
knight-errant waiting. Now if this bashful hesi- 
tancy were from Cinderella ! But from one whose 
every breath has been drawn in masculine zephyrs 
— well, it’s unseemly,” Katharine teased as Mar- 
garet still hesitated over the card. At this last 
spur she gave a disgusted toss of the head and went 
into her room. 

“ I’ll wager my spring hat it’s a fraternity stunt 
for initiation, or else it’s a friend of Bob’s,” Kath- 
arine declared, studying the card. Mildred looked 
on with an amused expression. 

“ A friend of Bob’s ! ” struggling with a hook 
caught in her lace yoke. “ You must think I’ve 
lived all these years with Bob Winters and don’t 
know every friend of his, at least by name, whom 
he’d send to call on me I ” 

“ Oh, Baby Stuart, just as if you could make us 


32 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

believe that your acquaintance extends over all the 
rounds of a college man’s hail-fellow list I ” laughed 
Katharine. 

A tap on the door admitted Polly, Araminta, 
and Flossy. The girls were always careless about 
Saturday night study-hour. 

“ Wilt kindly explain the reason for this dressi- 
ness, my dear — oh, fussing! Distinguished 
name. Does he belong to the Bobonlan circle? ” 
Araminta ran on. 

“ Don’t know him? ” came In a horrified chorus 
from the three newcomers. 

“ And you are donning your fuss-togs to greet 
him! Well, I feel the octet has changed! ” 

“ Oh, no, Polly, it dropped last year. You’ve 
forgotten the Wayside Inn.” 

“ So I had. Flossy — probably the very man 
under an assumed name.” 

“ It makes me homesick,” Polly sighed, gazing 
thoughtfully at the card as she cuddled herself up 
among the pillows of the window seat. 

“ You’re welcome to him, Polly. Oh, I wish 
you would go down. He’ll never know the differ- 
ence — I know I’m the victim of some trick,” 
looking hard over at Mildred. “ I just know 
that I’m going to be made a goose of.” 

“ Don’t mind anything so simple as that. 


AND ROWLAND CAME” 


33 


You’ll wear the feathers gracefully, Kiddie,” Kath- 
arine sparkled, giving her excited roommate a 
soothing pat. 

Just then a tap on the door brought them all to 
their feet. It was the card. All began to shower 
directions on Margaret. 

“ Enter and pause upon the threshold — just 
gracefully teeter, for one second, thus, then mod- 
estly touch your lips with the tips of your fingers — 
‘ oh, sir, there must be some mistake — I - — -I 
really do not know you I ’ ” Araminta illustrated. 

“ Blush, that’s so vital I ” Flossy added, “ and 
then back out.” 

“ My dear Mr. Frying Pan, excuse me for sput- 
tering, but this is — ” 

“ Will you all keep still I I’d like one moment 
to think what I’m going to say.” 

“ If Bob were only here I ” 

“ There, Topsy, that’s the first sensible thing 
said; don’t I wish he were I What do you sup- 
pose he may be? ” 

“ My dear, the only way is to approach and find 
out. I’m sure you’re fully equipped with advice,” 
Flossy answered. 

“ Oh, my shoes I I haven’t on my pumps I ” 

“ Here, quick, pumps approach ; the man waits 
in the room below 1 ” Araminta gasped. 


34 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

Mildred pulled her into the chair, and Kath- 
arine and Flossy soon had the change made, the 
girls nearly upsetting the chair in their merriment 
at this flustered state of their mate. 

“ Now, my dear Baby Stuart, child of my tender 
years, go to thy fate; Rowland waiteth for thee 
below I ” 

With two girls on each side, Margaret started 
for the front stairs. No amount of persuasion 
could rid her of her lively escorts till she had 
reached the head of the stairs. Here they gave 
her their parting instructions in stage whispers. 

Margaret advanced very slowly and quietly to 
the reception-room door. Here she paused. At 
the farther end of the double rooms, his back 
partially towards her, was a tall young fellow, 
leaning over the table. One hand was deep in his 
pocket; with the other he was turning over the 
leaves of a magazine, whistling softly a familiar 
opera air. The side and back of his head showed 
a mass of dark curly hair, rather longer than the 
average. He was clad in evening suit. Thus 
much a glance showed her. Then she advanced 
into the room. The rustle of her dress attracted 
his attention, and turning quickly he bowed very 
gallantly and came eagerly towards her, his hand 
extended so cordially that she could do no less than 


AND ROWLAND CAME^* 35 

meet him half way. The smile assumed the re- 
newal of old acquaintance. 

“ Miss Winters, I’m so glad to meet you again. 
I do hope I’ve not intruded too rudely upon Sat- 
urday night quiet-hour.” 

Margaret motioned him to a chair, and seated 
herself rather daintily on the edge of the tete. So 
far at least she had not committed herself. She 
would await his next move. 

“ I was passing through the city — felt I 
couldn’t go back without a chat for old-times sake. 
You’ll pardon my crust in coming a second time.” 

There were no old times for the sake of which 
he was feeling so friendly, but if this were a fra- 
ternity stunt she would be equal to the play. 

“ I might have missed your second call had the 
meeting been a longer one,” Margaret ventured. 

“Meeting? You were not so religiously in- 
clined in the old town.” The eyebrows moved up 
a trifle, she couldn’t feel so sure of the expression 
In the gray eyes. “ Do all colleges turn out such 
devotees. Miss Winters? ” 

“ Well, Mr. Fry, that depends on tempera- 
ment — I think that’s what you call it.” She was 
enjoying the situation, and her caller smiled back 
at the rising fun in her eyes. Margaret’s fun al- 
ways began there. He had pleasant laugh 


36 MARGARET. AS A SOPHOMORE 

wrinkles and a mouth full of very white teeth. 
These points she noted while waiting for his next 
shot. 

“ I was thinking of those nights in the dead of 
winter — such a night as this reminds me of it — 
church bells ringing, but the hill calling, calling I 
My I but will you ever forget that night Bob and 
the seven fellows took that skid under the freight 
train?” 

Remember I wasn’t Bob steering that coaster, 
and hadn’t her heart been in her mouth for days 
over what might have been the result? She al- 
most gasped at the cleverness of the shot. Was 
he really an old girlhood friend? But she would 
'wait before striking her colors. 

“ But Ainsley’s hills have no such charms for 
you? A slide on that hill was worth forty pews 
. — but a college chapel pew^ — -with Ainsley girls 
in, might be different ! ” 

This last had given Margaret time to retreat to 
cover. “That would depend on a few side is- 
sues,” ignoring the hill. 

“ Oh, yes, I can think of a few— ^ how far off 
the faculty were, the dean especially.” 

“ Not with me. I like the dean very much ^ ? a 
good friend of mine = most girls feel that way, 
don’t you think? ” 


AND ROWLAND CAME^^ 


31 . 


“ Really, Miss Winters, Tm so little acquainted 
with college girls en masse that I must wait till 
I’m better informed. The dean here is so good 
to you all evidently, that I don’t wonder you feel 
so — letting you have such larks as you told of 
last year.” 

Margaret caught her breath. This was a close 
aim; but wait, it might have been just a lucky hit. 
“To just which one do you refer? ” 

“Well, theater parties — Hallowe’en larks.” 
He was evidently not quite so sure of his aim. 
“ Almost up to the times in K. C. we fellows used 
to have — doctors’ signs on undertakers’ shops, 
furrier’s ads on the horse doctor’s door^ — ? these 
are more in our line.” 

Margaret, taken off her guard, laughed merrily. 
How well she remembered Bob’s larks, and her 
fear that her father might hear of them. “Yes, 
girls always have to do such tame things, you 
know,” rebellion in her tones. 

His sally had forced out Margaret’s real feel- 
ings. Pushing back a troublesome lock from his 
forehead he tried another shot. “ Speaking of 
stunts, is Miss Marlowe still your favorite ac- 
tress? ” 

“ Girls usually do prefer her — perhaps you 
don’t know that? ” 


38 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

“ You seem to forget, Miss Winters, that I am 
very ignorant of such technical matters in your 
world — never’d dare bet closely on such matters 
as twist of hair, color of eyes, gowns worn by col- 
lege girls at Touraine luncheons — any more than 
to guess they might wear brown voile gowns and 
picture hats.” It was said innocently enough, but 
the eyes looked so mischievously into hers, that 
for a moment she was disconcerted. He had cer- 
tainly described her outfit of the year before when 
she and Mildred had taken luncheon with the two 
Dartmouth fellows. How did he know of this if 
someone had not told him? 

“ If this is a specimen of your amateur work, 
what won’t you be able to do when an adept? ” 

Mr. Fry laughed. “ I never felt so much en- 
couraged in my life. Miss Winters ; if only all girls 
would be so helpful.” 

Just then the gong sounded in the hall, and, yes, 
Margaret was sure that she heard a whistle out- 
side. 

‘‘ Must I go — does that mean lights out? ” 

“ It’s for quiet-hour — a sort of private revival 
meeting In our own hearts,” wickedly. Both 
laughed. 

“ My dear Miss Winters,” rising as He spoke 
and reaching for his coat and hat, “ I can’t tell you 


AND ROWLAND CAME*^ 39 

what this heart-to-heart talk has meant to me; 1 
hope I have not intruded too much. Any mes- 
sage to old K. C. ? ” 

“ Yes, tell them that one of their citizens is 
learning wisdom. New friends are dear, you 
know, but the old ones are unforgettable.” 

They had already reached the front door. 
The commotion everywhere sounded little like 
“ quiet-hour.” Margaret glanced cautiously up 
the stairs. She was sure that she heard a giggle, 
but she could see no one. 

“ Thank you so much for this helpful evening. 
You’ve done me a big turn.” The smile was so 
frank and the hand pressure so hearty that Mar- 
garet felt sure she understood what he meant. 

‘‘ Don’t forget my messages to K. C.,” in a tone 
easily heard by the girls at the head of the stairs. 

He had gone. Margaret ran up the stairs, 
pushed her way through the crowd of girls, never 
stopping till she reached her own room. 

“ Oh, Margaret, we’re thrilled to the bone, con- 
sumed with curiosity I It’s a K. C. man, isn’t it? 
Adorable manners, so distinguished — relieve at 
once our devouring curiosity ! ” Araminta pleaded, 
forcing Margaret on to the window seat, all 
the group gathering about her and all talking at 


once. 


40 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

“ Now own up you don’t know all that dis- 
tinguished list of Bob’s friends I ” Mildred twitted. 

“ Girls, I wouldn’t have missed his call for any- 
thing — I’m too excited to talk I” rising and be- 
ginning to unfasten her dress. 

“ Guess, girls, we’ll have to endure the suspense I 
Baby Stuart’s beyond the speaking point, so im- 
pressive has been the interview.” 

“ There’s the second gong. Behold what havoc 
a man works in our ranks I ” Araminta exclaimed, 
starting toward the door. 

A few parting admonitions and all were gone. 
Katharine had not joined In the fun nor did she 
now speak, but went quietly on making her prep- 
arations for the night. 

“ Who was it. Kiddie? ” she asked finally when 
Margaret was freed from her dress by Katharine’s 
help. 

“ I never set eyes on him I ” Then followed 
the interview as realistically as Margaret could 
describe It. 

“ It must have been thrilling,” Ethel sighed so 
impressively that both girls laughed. Ethel’s way 
of taking things was always a surprise. 

“ Yes, honestly, Ethel, I felt just as If I were in 
a story book. How I did wish for you, Kath- 
arine, to see if I was doing an awfully bold thing. 


AND ROWLAND CAME^* 


41 


What do you s’pose Bob will say? ” in such deep 
concern that Katharine could not suppress a smile. 

“ Now, Kiddie, I know he’ll think you are a 
brick. I’m proud of the way you carried out the 
stunt. Of course, it’s a fraternity one or — ” 
“A trick of Mildred’s!” 

“ Margaret, I have a feeling that this is going 
to be very important in your life — it’s so — so 
romantic. It’s like a book coming true,” Ethel 
mused just as she was getting into bed. It was all 
so different from anything which had ever come 
into the prosaic, hard-working life of this romance- 
loving girl. 


CHAPTER Vj 

ALL THEIR WORLD’S A PLAY 

One of the greatest events of the year at Ainsley 
is the public play of the Dramatic Club. The 
parts for open-dramatics are usually decided in 
this way: members of the Dramatic Club put in 
their names for parts which they desire to take, 
then a time is set for the trial before a committee 
of alumnae and active members. The places are 
always very eagerly sought, and often those fail- 
ing to make the cast are glad to take a place in 
the mob. 

The play decided upon this year was no less pre- 
tentious than “ Romeo and Juliet.” Katharine 
had been given the part of Romeo; Margaret was 
to be the old nurse, and Mildred, Mercutio. To 
the surprise of every one, Mella had shown such 
decided dramatic ability that Katharine had coaxed 
her into trying for Juliet. When she had gone 
through the potion scene with such depths of feel- 
ing, she was unanimously given the place. 

“ It’s the blood of those Spanish dons from 
their cruel dungeons speaking in those eyes,” Kath- 
42 


ALL THEIR WORLUS A PLAY. 43 

arine declared; and, indeed, the fire might come 
from almost any of her dark line of ancestry. 

“If you can’t make love looking into those fiery 
depths, you’re no true lover. Puck,” Araminta 
commented upon hearing the verdict. 

Long and many were the rehearsals, indescrib- 
ably funny the incidents at some of them. Many 
a time were the proctors known to prowl about the 
region of “ Fifth Avenue ” during study-hour only 
to go away when the deep and heart-stirring tones 
of Romeo were heard. But one night the octet 
fell into disgrace for disturbing two floors with 
their domestic tragedy. 

There had been a gathering of the clan after the 
ringing of the gong. Even Flossy, who had 
vowed the year before, after a long and heroic 
struggle to raise her share of the fund by selling 
her famous fudge, that never again would she will- 
ingly mix another spoonful of the delicious sub- 
stance, on this particular evening had been in- 
veigled into yielding, and was deep in its mysteries. 
Spirits had reached a very high pitch that evening. 
Katharine was lost in her part of Romeo, and each 
one in turn had been adored and implored, Ara- 
minta calmly tripping her in her flights whenever, 
in her superior dramatic knowledge, she felt Kath- 
arine’s delivery called for comment. Fully fifteen 


44 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

girls were In the room and outside the door watch- 
ing the performance. 

In one corner stood a stepladder arrangement 
made of chairs piled up, and draped with a soft 
Turkish rug. Mella’s protest, “ I could act it 
better, Kathreno, with pretty things like those 
Jtdiet should have,” had caused Polly to go for 
her couch cover. 

“‘Romeo! Humors! Madman! Passion! 
Lover! Appear thou in the likeness of the 
sigh ! ’ ” Mildred called' In her role of Mercutio 
seeking his lovelorn friend. 

But Romeo heeded not. The impassioned 
words of the garden scene were upon his lips, 
“‘Soft! What light through yonder window 
breaks ! ’ ” Mella appeared above the drapery 
of the ladder. “ ‘ It is the east and Juliet is the 
sun!’” 

The cautious glance backward, as if in very 
truth the old nurse were calling, the smile so re- 
alistic, brought rousing cheers from her audience. 

“ ‘ She speaks I Oh, speak again, bright 
angel ! ’ ” Katharine was exaggerating the rap- 
tures of the language to the infinite delight of the 
girls. 

At the same time Mildred was spinning off in 
her liveliest mood Mercutio* s quips and witticisms, 


ALL THEIR WORLHS A PLAY 45 

making a ludicrous accompaniment to the lover’s 
scene. 

Juliet had just said in Mella’s softest and most 
musical tones : 

“ ‘ Parting is such sweet sorrow that 

I shall say good-by till it be to-morrow,’ ” 

and Katharine was throwing her most ardent tok- 
ens of devotion when Mildred again broke into 
Mercutio^s attack upon Tybalt, using her fencing 
weapon as a sword. Abetting the fun, Araminta 
had assumed the role of Tybalt. 

“ ‘ Come, sir, your passado I ’ ” 

“ ‘ Gentle Mercutio, put up thy rapier,’ ” Kath- 
arine cried, turning from Mella at the sound of her 
cue. 

“‘lam hurt I ’ ” Mildred cried, at a thrust from 
Araminta’s mimic sword, staggering backward; 
“ ‘ a plague o’ both your houses I I am sped I Is 
he gone, and hath nothing? ’ ” starting with the ef- 
fort of a wounded man, Katharine with Ara- 
minta’s help already manfully supporting her. 

Flossy had just come from Margaret’s and 
Ethel’s room with the steaming pan of fudge. 
The warning cries from the girls came too late. 
Araminta sprang aside just in time to dodge the 
flying contents; Polly covered her head with a 
pillow, but her dainty ankle got a dab. With a 


46 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

scream she rose only to tumble over Flossy and 
Mildred. Katharine got her senses first and be- 
gan to scrape the hot contents from the cushion of 
the morris chair, and Ethel and Flossy soon had 
that on the floor cleaned up. But in the fray the 
teacups had been knocked off the table, and the 
crash coming after the gong had sounded, brought 
not only all the remaining girls to the scene but the 
senior proctors as well. 

Mildred, still undaunted, turned the whole 
scene again into mirth by staggering about with the 
fudge spoon and exclaiming in Mercutio^s mortal 
words, “ ‘ Ay, ay, a scratch, marry ’tis enough — 
’twill serve I I’m peppered, I warrant, for this 
world,’ ” and staggered out, muttering as she went, 
“ ‘ Zounds, a dog, a rat, a mouse to scratch a man 
to death!”’ 

Katharine turned to the proctors, rag in hand 
from her scrubbing, and exclaimed, 

“‘Now, Tybalt, take the villain back again. 

That late thou gavest me; Mercutio’s soul 
Is but a little way above our heads. 

Staying for thee to keep him company. 

Either I or thou or both must go with him,’ ” 

waving indefinitely to the reluctantly thinning 
groups of girls. There was nothing else for the 
proctors to do but laugh and surrender, as Kath- 
arine bowed to the cheering girls. 


ALL THEIR JVORLHS A PLAT 47 

The days of rehearsal at last were over and the 
longed-for night had arrived. Although lectures 
had been attended, and lessons conned, yet all 
their world had been a play up to this time, seem- 
ingly. 

“ NoWj Juliet** Katharine directed, as she and 
Mella stood in the midst of a group of girls be- 
hind the scenes that night, “ if I get balled up in 
my lines just say in those heart-mellowing tones, 
‘Oh, Romeo, Romeo H and beam; the audience 
won’t have an idea left in its classic brain to dis- 
cover the parody on Billy.” 

The little amphitheater was packed with the 
academic and the otherwise of Ainsley’s patrons. 
At these plays no men are admitted. Mildred was 
in her gayest tensity of excitement, unable, despite 
the many warnings from the stage managers, to re- 
sist many furtive peeks at the guests, through the 
apertures of the curtain. Once she had almost 
lost her balance in a too venturesome look. Fi- 
nally, as the curtain went up on the first scene, she 
was so eager that she was caught almost in full 
view, and Margaret declared afterwards that she 
saw her wave to two people in the front row. 

The play went smoothly on till the scene be- 
tween Mercutio, the old nurse, and Romeo. As 
Mildred moved airily about the stage with her gay 


48 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

banterings, Margaret, as the nurse, had just taken 
the fan with much flourish; suddenly she almost 
stopped short in her greeting, “ ‘ God ye good den, 
gentlemen,’ ” putting a long pause between “ good 
den ” and “ gentlemen,” for she saw Mildred de- 
liberately flip a small wad of paper toward the 
audience. It was as dexterously caught by one of 
the conspicuously bewigged ladies in the front row 
with whom she had seen Mildred exchanging 
greetings as the curtain went up. Margaret fin- 
ished her lines, but she was still drawn to the large 
shaking shoulders of the two guests. This was 
dangerous, and with desperate effort she took her 
eyes from them. She stumbled in many places, 
repeated “ Sir ” three times, her eyes again on the 
front row. 

“‘What wilt thou tell her, nurse?’” came 
from Katharine, and the entirely un-Shakespear- 
ean undertone, “ Look at me I ” At the same 
moment the tones of the prompter were heard. 
Margaret felt a hard pressure on her toe. She 
turned from gazing at a familiar ring upon the 
very large hand of one of the two guests, and be- 
gan her lines: 

“ ‘ I will tell her you do protest ’ ” — 

An undertone from Katharine, “ I do,” made 
Margaret nearly laugh through the other lines. 


ALL THEIR WORLHS A PLAY 49 

“ Katharine, the two in front are men in wom- 
en’s clothes. I know it. One Is Rowland” 
Margaret cried as they left the stage. 

“ Why, Kiddie, it is the thought of thy mad 
brain — nonsense I ” Katharine protested, hurry- 
ing Margaret to the dressing room. 

“ No, Katharine, it’s the very ring he had on 
that night ! ” 

“ Now, Kiddie, what hair-brain stuff are you try- 
ing to conjure up? If there are twenty Rowlands 
there, just you tie your heart down where it be- 
longs ; don’t let It leap over the footlights to him ; 
you’ll never get through that nurse’s scene with 
Mella If you don’t. You nearly tipped me over. 
Mella can never call you back as I did. Now do 
keep your eyes off them.” 

In the midst of the most Impassioned part of her 
scene with Juliet, Katharine saw the large hand 
pressed adoringly to the heart, and felt sure that 
Margaret was right In her conjecture. Even 
Katharine was a bit disconcerted, came in on the 
wrong line, and threw Mella completely off the 
track, and but for a timely adoring embrace, in 
which moment she murmured the correct lines to 
Mella, the prompter’s voice would have been heard 
again. 

It was in the tomb-scene, however, where trou- 


50 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

ble was awaiting them. Katharine, at first indig- 
nant, was soon overpowered with the fun of it. 
As she lay stretched out upon the floor of the tomb, 
she struggled so to keep from shaking with mirth, 
that the effort choked her. Slowly, awfully, the 
cough was coming I Juliet was waking out of her 
torpor. Would she ever do something — fall 
over her to save the situation! The first convul- 
sion passed, she hoped, unnoticed; worse yet, she 
knew a sneeze was coming! Juliet at last was 
bending over her, dared she speak to this intense, 
high-strung child to whom every part of this play 
was real? 

“ Mella, scream ! Fve got to — Katharine 
had her chance to sneeze! Mella started as if in 
very truth the dead had come to life. The dagger 
had fortunately already been grasped by her, else, 
even to those not really familiar with this tragic 
ending, what followed would have seemed a 
blunder. With the cry of a child frightened al- 
most into spasms she threw her arms into the air 
and fell almost bodily on to Katharine. The im- 
pact would have stunne*d her had Katharine not 
caught her in her arms as she fell. Distinctly 
giggles were heard from the front row, not at all 
ladylike — the intruders were getting bold. 

“ Mella, Mella, quick, quick ! Finish your 


ALL THEIR WORLHS A PLAY 51 

parti The words brought her bewildered Juliet 
to her senses, and with quavering, trembling voice, 
grasping her dagger, she ended the scene. 

This play had already revealed many sides be- 
fore unknown of this protege, but this last scene 
made Katharine realize how like a simple child at 
heart Mella really was. 

The news of the presence of men at their play 
spread rapidly, and when the dressing-room was 
reached the keenest excitement was evident every- 
where. Mildred was gay and unapproachable; 
Margaret highly wrought up, divided in feeling be- 
tween anger and relish of the lark ; but Katharine 
provokingly made fun of the whole idea. 


CHAPTER VI 

UNDER THE TUB THE SLIPPER GOES 

“What do you s’pose the matter is? Topsy, 
you are the nearest dressed; run, quick, and re- 
port, that’s a dear child ! ” Polly pleaded, rub- 
bing hard to get the paint off Katharine’s face. 

Mildred laughed tantalizingly, dancing around 
on one foot as she pulled a stocking on to the other. 
“ I think it’s probably the dean greeting some of 
her guests I ” she retorted evasively. 

Margaret stopped her search for her skirt and 
stared questioningly, then tossed her head know- 
ingly. 

“ Girls I Girls I they were, they were * — - those 
two in front were men I ” 

“Men I What do you mean? Where?” 
from a chorus of voices, the girls all stopping in 
their various stages of change from actors to plain 
citizens to accost the bearer of this astounding 
news. 

“ Miss Deering challenged them and they ran 
out laughing past her. The girls are wild over it. 

52 


UNDER THE TUB 


53 

You know it’s sure to mean no more open-dra- 
matics ! ” 

“ Oh, where are my shoes — who’s got my coat 
— here, do let’s get out and see the fun ! ” as one 
and another snatched up wraps and rushed for the 
scene of excitement. 

“ Well, there’s one thing’s sure, someone had to 
give them tickets, so some girl knows! ” 

“ Might give you the job of trailing them. Baby 
Stuart ; you’re good at detective work, you know,” 
Mildred suggested as she finished putting on her 
shoes. 

There were giggles from various quarters, but 
Margaret went on with her dressing, ignoring this 
remark. Her suspicions were now thoroughly 
aroused. Probably even the call was not a fra- 
ternity stunt but a trick of Mildred’s to get the 
laugh on her. Margaret had entered into the af- 
fair heartily, remembering well Bob’s initiation of 
a similar kind, but to be made the dupe of a prac- 
tical joke for Mildred to crow over was quite an- 
other thing I 

“ Might not be safe to try your foot to the slip- 
per, Topsy!” Katharine retorted for Margaret, 
causing the laugh to turn on Mildred. 

** Don’t be quite so sure of your game. Baby 
Stuart ; you know you’ve been known to make mis- 


54 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

takes before,” Flossy said in low tones to Mar- 
garet. “ I don’t believe she would dare; she’s al- 
ready over-cut and is down in economics.” 

“ Humph 1 ” was all that Margaret offered in 
reply. 

Some of the girls took the whole affair hilari- 
ously, thinking it a clever ruse, and only wishing 
that they had “been next” to have enjoyed it. 
Others were awed by its daring, and still others 
were thinking over the names of girls who they 
knew had many callers. The more thoughtful ap- 
preciated what it would mean and the scandal it 
would create at Ainsley. Whoever had done it 
had thought only of the fun, not once of the re- 
sults. 

“ Well, it’s up to the Senate now to prove what 
it can do. Some mighty poor sand in it, some very 
good. The guilty ones ought to be found out.” 

“Yes, but who’ll tell? You can’t get girls to 
do it! Boys would, but you know that even the 
proctors get themselves disliked for it.” 

Margaret heard this conversation as she stood 
in the hall below, among the excited knots of girls 
still lingering to discuss the great theme of the 
moment. 

“Where’s Topsy?” Polly asked, as Flossy, 
Katharine, and she joined Margaret. 


UNDER THE TUB 


55 


“ I saw her and Mella leave the dressing-room 
and start out soon after the commotion down- 
stairs,” Flossy replied. 

“ Gone to meet their lady-friends,” Margaret 
suggested, laughing. 

‘‘ Now, Kiddie, you’ve been known to jump 
without looking at your landing place,” Katharine 
reminded. 

“ Really, I don’t think there’s a bit of evidence 
against Mildred. She loves to tease you. Baby 
Stuart, and I’d not give her quite such a target as 
you do for her broadsides,” Polly added. 

“ Well, one thing’s sure, our task will not be 
lightened by having her so constantly with Mella. 
I think it’s too bad that more of us don’t go about 
with her. You know Mildred can’t resist trying 
experiments with the Princess’ principles.” 

‘‘You are right. Flossy, and I do honestly think, 
Polly, that you ought to use your charms there; 
you know Mella adores your tea-pouring, poor un- 
suspecting innocent ! ” 

“ You see. Puck my dear, how much depends on 
the thought held over a person. Now you always 
expect a scalding — 

“And get it!” 

“Well, you ought not to be disappointed! 
Now Mella is ravished with my flourishes, and 


56 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

provided I only do it, doesn’t mind even a 
scalding.” 

“ All the more am I convinced, my dear Polly, 
that you should exert your charms. I have no 
proof of bad effects thus far, but on general prin- 
ciples Mildred doesn’t seem the best guide for 
Mella.” 

“ I’m not so sure about Mella’s innocence. 
Juliet has discovered much to me.” 

“ Girls, I never knew any one so completely lost 
in a part in my life as she was in Juliet, Why, my 
sneeeze nearly upset her. Did you hear her 
scream? I had to grab her and make her come 
to.” 

“ That’s just It, Puck. She does give herself 
up so — any scheme she takes just like a play — ■ 
never seems to think or question.” 

“ That’s my meaning. And Mildred doesn’t 
care so long’s she has the fun.” 

Just then three girls hurried around the corner 
of a side street. One of them, turning, waved to 
someone behind and then hurried on towards the 
hall. The pink opera cape told them at once who 
one of them was. 

“There I Look up the street! There go 
those big girls — yes, they’re nearly falling over 
themselves with laughter — hear it I ” 


UNDER THE TUB 


57 


“ Girls, things do look dark for Topsy. I hon- 
estly didn’t think it of her — and that’s all my in- 
fluence has counted for,” Polly sighed. 

“ There’s bound to be trouble. You know the 
dean won’t let it drop, and Araminta and 1 are 
on the Senate, and we’ll have to do our duty no 
matter on whom suspicion falls. I’m mighty 
sorry it rests upon our crowd.” 

“ It does, Katharine, for several of the girls 
saw Mildred throw that little ball of paper. Of 
course, it might not have been anything, but I saw 
later one of the men lean over and pick it up. 
I’m sure they were Ned Baxter and that Fry 
man.” 

“ I’m glad we’re through this direful night. 
Such hair-breadth escapes! Where’s Cinderella? 
How’d we happen to come off without her, poor, 
hard-worked slave! I’m glad I wasn’t in her 
shoes; I’m afraid I should have prompted you 
long before she did. Baby Stuart. She deserves 
your pity. Probably she’s home now grinding 
on that thesis,” Flossy declared. 

Margaret sighed. “ I got angry ; that was all 
that ailed me. I’m sure it was a trick, call and 
all.” The girls laughed at this characteristic im- 
pulsiveness. Whatever faults she had Margaret 
was honest and open. 


58 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

“ Girls 1” 

“Why, Ethel, what’s the matter?” in a 
chorus of surprise. “Where have you been?” 
They had just reached the room when Ethel en- 
tered excitedly. 

“ I knew Mildred was up to something thought- 
less with Mella, so I just went with them — and 
I’m glad I did. I can’t prove a thing, but we 
passed that same couple of big ladies — not a 
word; but when we got a block from them, Mil- 
dred turned and waved at someone. I wasn’t 
going to let Mella get into trouble I I know just 
how Cinderella felt; Mildred didn’t want me along 
a bit. I don’t think that Mella suspected any- 
thing.” 

“ Don’t be quite so sure. Girls, there are 
some things to be done besides darning. If I 
undertake the role of guardian angel, I feel that 
I should be allowed to resume my embroidery at 
all meetings of the cabal.” 

“ Polly, I think you’ll need more than that to 
support your effort. If you succeed. I’ll never 
again protest at a scalding.” 

“ No, Kiddie,” Katharine stated, several days 
later as she and Margaret were strolling along 
toward Ware Hall, “ there’s not enough proof, 
to my mind, that Mildred is guilty of this. I feel 


UNDER THE TUB 


59 


sure she Is, but her coquetting with It as she does 
is just the way she treats everything; It’s not fair 
to report her on that.” 

“ Well, I s’pose I do feel some spite about 
it, Katharine, but I’ve had cause. I’d never tell 
just for that, though, I know I wouldn’t. I think 
the girls are right In feeling the way they do 
about the whole thing. It’s mean to make the 
college such a butt of fun as the whole thing has, 
and If this Is not noticed, more will do It.” 

“ Sound, Kiddle, as ever when steam’s nor- 
mal. But how do you know that was a note she 
tossed ? How do you know they were her friends ? 
I’ve seen Mildred bluff like that to tease you. 
She knows how worked up you’ve been over the 
thought that you’ve been tricked by that call. 
Her very laugh riles you — I don’t wonder, al- 
though I wish it didn’t. Now, proofs are what 
we’ve got to have. If I suggest Topsy’s name 
to the Senate, and Araminta feels the same, we’re 
bound to protect her till she’s proved guilty. 
Polly says she’s on her guard now, and her manner 
might be taken two ways — her enjoyment in 
keeping us guessing, or guilt. You see. Kiddie, 
you’ve none of that coquetting tendency with prob- 
lems; you make a head-on dash, hands up.” 

“Well, maybe you are right, Katharine; I do 


6o MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 


honestly hope that you are.” Poor Margaret’s 
molehills were all mountains these days. She was 
down in two subjects, and very much discouraged 
generally. Yet all her friends knew the cause 
of this trouble was worry over the play and the 
pains she was taking to help Mella, and a bit too 
much time, perhaps, at basket ball. She could 
now easily make them up. 

“Kiddie, smile at me I I’d flatten the moun- 
tains a bit,” roguishly. 

One afternoon, about a month after the play, 
Ethel came hurriedly into the room. Katharine 
and Polly were studying some French together. 
The moment the girls saw Ethel’s face they knew 
something was wrong. 

“ How dare you look so burdened in the pres- 
ence of the Bundle-lifter, Ethel?” Polly de- 
manded, pulling some lace work out of her shirt- 
waist, a habit of hers when it looked like a session. 

“ Well, Polly, I am — very much I It really is 
serious; I’m sure you’ll think so, this time, Katha- 
rine.” 

“ My dear Cinderella, no one could fail to be 
impressed.” 

“ Mella ! ” Polly sighed and lay back among 
the pillows, hands idle. 

“ Yes, she has just told me in the most innocent 


UNDER THE TUB 


6i 


way that she is going to dinner and the theater 
with Mildred and two men, to-night; and when 
I asked her if Miss Deering knew, she said in a 
most childlike way, ‘ Is it to break a rule ? Why 
would Mildred take me? I want to go, I like 
the two men. I have been to two matinees — • they 
are good fellows.’ All I could say did not change 
her.” 

“ Did she happen to mention the names of the 
brave knight-errants ? ” 

‘‘ No. She said Mildred didn’t think it best 
to — they’ve got to stay away from here till some- 
thing, she wasn’t clear what, blows over.” 

“ Eh, ha I Light upon our path I Mella, thou 
art a good angel, but not to Mildred I ‘ Some- 
thing blows over.’ I see — most any one 
might,” Polly commented dryly. 

“ But, girls, they start in an hour, and Mella 
ought not to start. Do you feel she ought? ” 

“ She must not 1 Yet how to prevent? ” Kath- 
arine began to put up her work, humming as if 
nothing had happened. 

Polly, never long over-burdened with any care, 
began to work; Ethel waited Katharine’s advice. 
Just then Margaret and Mildred entered, talking 
as gayly as if no difference had ever occurred be- 
tween them. It was often Mildred’s mood to 


62 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 


assume this, and Margaret was sometimes big 
enough to fall in with it. 

“ Girls, I’m consumed to see a play to-night. 
My treat — what’s going that’s best "any one 
got an objection? ” 

“ None, my dear Puck. To what do you al- 
lude? ” Araminta had brisked in in time to hear 
the last. “ The theater I Oh, ’twill resurrect my 
feelings from the tomb I” holding out her pack 
of English- 1 2 themes. 

“Well, if you’d ever let a fellow get ready 
for your shots. Puck! I’ve a date and can’t.” 

“ A date I What, pray, may we construe that 
to be? An Ainsley girl an evening date! Of 
course, the dean must be in it! ” Polly exclaimed. 

“What’s on that’s good, Topsy? — oh, I for- 
got, the fund, you’re not interested, of course,” 
Katharine commented innocently. 

Mildred named over several, leaving out the 
most interesting of them all. She had fallen 
into the trap. Katharine named the omitted 
play. 

“Well, it’s hie diddle, diddle to me! ” but the 
tone was too obviously nonchalant. 

“We’ll decide on the discarded one; I always 
like to be on the contrary side,” Katharine an- 
nounced. “ Here, we must have Flossy and 


UNDER THE TUB 


63 

Mella. Baby Stuart, hie thee to her sky-parlor, 
and break the news to her. Ethel, get the night 
keys. Shall It be a box? ” Mildred was plainly 
uneasy. 

“ Mella Is going with me,” she announced 
rather defiantly, “ so you will have to dispense 
with her also.” 

“ Now, look here, Topsy, you don’t carry off 
the charge till you tell where you are taking 
her.” Katharine smiled up at Mildred; but 
there was a peculiar curve in her back and neck 
that Mildred knew, so she laughed. “ Miss Deer- 
ing or the octet, that’s the verdict, Topsy.” 

Mildred’s eyes darkened, flashed, then nar- 
rowed. Katharine’s laughing yet firm gaze never 
wavered. “And if I choose to carry her off?” 

“Must be done over our dead bodies I We 
stand for justice.” Araminta backed up against 
the door. 

Mildred rose, laughed one of her defiant 
laughs, and bowing low before Araminta, cried, 
“‘I would hie me hither — paddock’s calling, I 
must be gone I ’ ” 

“Where, Topsy? No? Well, then alone — • 
and no Mella.” 

“ What can you do to prevent? ” 

“ My plain duty. Report you to Miss Deer- 


64 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

ing — and I’ll do it — if you will be a goose,” 
Katharine answered. 

Mildred did know. She was at bay. “Well, 
Puck, I’m going to the theater ! ” 

“ With Carl Fry and Ned Baxter, the two styl- 
ishly dressed young ladies at the open-dramatics 1 ” 
Mildred turned so pale for a second that the 
girls were frightened. “ Tossed them a note 
from the platform — would have met them after 
with Mella! No, Topsy, you’re caught for fair. 
Your own career you’re welcome to steer, but not 
that innocent, untaught child’s — not while we are 
here to see her have fair play. You’ve got to 
confess this, too, before the Senate. Araminta 
and I are bound by our honor to report any such 
thing as you played on the club. Will you, or 
shall we? ” 

Mildred was still; only her eyes were speaking. 
Suddenly a gay, reckless laugh broke from her — 
“ And you think I’m the joker! Play your best, 
dear mentors — I’m ready for your Senate! 
Your charge, sweet innocent, of course, I resign 
! — > Margaret, will you accept the vacant seat? ” 
“Mildred, my dear, ‘To alter favor is to 
fear.’ The play was a good one, but you’ve 
lost. Be a true sportsman.” Araminta did not 
offer to let her out the door. 


UNDER THE TUB 6s 

The plea was too much. “ ‘ Et tu, Brute 1 ’ 
Well,’’ with a shrug and jesture, “ I can see no 
harm — I did introduce two fellows at the play ; 
— as to who they were, that wild horses won’t 
draw from me! Now do your worst!” She 
folded her arms, stamped her feet and began a 
clog dance in true Southern fashion. 

The girls laughed, they couldn’t help it. Mil- 
dred was Mildred — game to the last. 

As to the proposed party, Katharine, deter- 
mined that Mella should not be disappointed, car- 
ried out the plan suggested. There were no signs 
of Mildred and her escort. Margaret alone was 
sure that she caught sight of a pink cape, between 
two men, getting into a taxicab after the play. 


CHAPTER VII 

PROVING SOME THINGS ABOUT GIRLS 

The Ainsley girls were gathered in the audi- 
torium to decide upon a question most vital to all 
of them. The president of the student-body of 
administration had brought before them for their 
consideration and action the movement known as 
the “ Honor System.” This system, if adopted, 
required of each girl a pledge that every paper 
handed in at an examination would be completed 
with no aid from any one, and that she would re- 
port to the student-committee any person seen 
acting in violation of this pledge. No proctor 
or instructor was to be present at the examinations 
except for the purpose of explaining any point that 
needed clearing up. 

When the president sat down there was an 
instant buzzing in every quarter. 

“ That means, if I see my best friend collecting 
facts, I must tell on her. Well, I guess I see 
myself.” 

“ You wouldn’t have one who would.” 

“Well, ‘that’s one of the things that no feller 

66 


PROVING SOME THINGS 


67 

can find out’ ” Many around laughed at this 
clever application of Lord Dundreary^ s favorite 
makeshift. 

“ Well, I think it’s a pretty poor showing for 
a lot of girls if they can’t help people to be hon- 
est,” Margaret declared, and it was plain that 
many of her classmates agreed with her. 

Then Araminta stood up. “ Madam Chair- 
man, if any of this assembly would be bonds- 
women to the old system of proctors, ‘ Sphinx ’ 
and all, then her have we offended I ” Laughter 
from the upper class girls greeted this allusion to 
the dreaded proctor of freshman days. “ If any 
there be that demand why we rose against these 
proctors, this is our answer: Not that we loved 
the proctors less, but honor more. Had you 
rather all be slaves than that the proctors go and 
we write ourselves all free-women? As the long 
line of noble proctors did their duty by us, loved 
us, we weep for them; as they were valiant, we 
honor them ; but as they put upon our honor the 
stain of suspicion, we would rid ourselves of them. 
There are tears for their labor of love, honor for 
their valor, but death for the effects. Who is so 
base as to be a suspect? If any, speak; for her 
have I offended. I pause for a reply.” 

“ ‘ None, Brutus, none ! ’ ” a dozen or more 


68 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 


cried. Many in the room were learning those 
very passages from “ Julius Caesar ’’ which Ara- 
minta had so cleverly parodied. 

“ Then none have I offended. The question 
of their death warrant shall be enrolled in our 
annals, their good deeds praised. We have done 
no more to the proctors than the faculty shall do 
to us if we prove not true to our trust. Here 
comes Mark Antony with the proctors’ death war- 
rant, our pledge. You shall all receive the benefit 
of their dying, a place in the annals of this great 
and glorious college as the signers of this declara- 
tion of freedom.” 

The ushers at once began to distribute the 
pledges. As Araminta sat down, a storm of ap- 
plause followed her. Her gifts in oratory were 
very great, and the degree to which her vocabulary 
was tinctured with Shakespeare’s phrases, and 
which she always so aptly quoted, were greatly ad- 
mired by those who knew her. Her many roles 
upon the Dramatic Club stage had made her better 
known than almost any other girl in college. 
That she was not always known to use her gifts in 
such great undertakings caused the more surprise 
at this effort now. The effect was to turn the tide 
in favor of the measure. While the feeling was 
at its flood, Katharine asked that every girl place 


PROVING SOME THINGS 69 

her name at once upon the pledge. So the sys- 
tem was adopted before any reactionary move- 
ment could be started by the more thoughtless and 
irresponsible faction. 

Finals were at last upon them. The new ruling 
had been the untiring topic of conversation in 
every group since the meeting two weeks before. 
Now it was to be tested. It must be admitted 
that the resolves of some of its signers did not 
bode success. On the faces of those who meant 
to stand by their pledges was stern resolve. 

It had been tacitly agreed among some of the 
members of the octet that Margaret and Ethel 
should sit near Mella to protect her from any 
temptations in their History- 10 test. At the last 
gathering of the octet when Mella was present, 
the subject naturally had been about the new rule. 
With malice-intent the girls had discussed with 
unremitting zeal its full obligation, hoping, as 
Flossy put It, that the meaning could be driven 
in. But they builded better than they knew. 

Mildred came also to that protected corner of 
the examination room and took her place directly 
In front of Mella, a wicked twinkle in her eye. 

“ Now, Kiddie, don’t fight for anything smaller 
than a real sizable chip I ” Katharine had warned. 
She knew that Ethel would look before she leaped. 


70 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

The instructor came in, with effort at faith in 
his manner, and distributed the papers; the dean 
walked in and out, but except for these the girls 
were left to themselves. The words of the pledge 
were on the blackboard instead of that time-worn 
paragraph against communication. There were 
conscious flutters in the air, a few nervous ripples ; 
then all settled down. The first hour and a half 
had gone when Margaret, who had been com- 
pletely lost in her own work, looked up suddenly. 
Mella was chewing her pencil, the other hand 
dangled innocently by her side next to the wall. 
Suddenly Margaret saw a finger come through 
the rounds of the back of Mildred’s chair and a 
piece of paper was placed on her desk. She noted 
the troubled expression on Mella’s face, then saw 
the fingers close over it. 

Margaret was excited. Yet she must finish her 
own test. Fifteen minutes later she had answered 
the last question. To her surprise she saw Mella 
pinning the tiny note, before received, to her ex- 
amination paper. If she kept her pledge, she 
must report what she had seen. To do this would 
be construed by Mildred and others to be spite. 
During the few moments left in which to run over 
her paper she came to her decision ; she must send 
in to the student-committee the names of both Mil- 


PROVING SOME THINGS 


71 

dred and Mella ! Mella herself looked as if she 
were going to cry, and upon handing in her paper 
left abruptly before any one could speak to her. 
Margaret knew in her own heart that she had 
done right, but the act seemed like one of be- 
trayal of two friends. All that evening depres- 
sion was upon her, nor could Katharine’s fun dispel 
it. 

The student-committee met the next day and 
among the things to be taken up they found Mella’s 
and Margaret’s notes. One was written in a 
round, energetic hand with the simple statement 
of the act seen ; the other made every member of 
the committee laugh. Pinned to the note was the 
slip of paper in a fantastic, dashing hand which 
read: “Hello, Princess, what’s your tempera- 
ture?” The other read: “I promised, so I 
send the paper; Mildred wrote it. Please excuse 
her ; I feel she meant to help ; but I did not open. 
The promise made me do this, as I heard them 
all explain. I am sorry. Mella Cosimo.” 

Katharine was on the committee. Up to this 
time she had not heard of the incident. Now 
she understood Mella’s pathetic little exclamation 
the night of the examination, “ I find things hard 
to match together.” How little, after all, had 
they understood the struggle of this witching little 


72 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

friend to see their standards from their point of 
view. No one of the girls had been able to put 
herself in Mella’s place and help her to grasp 
theirs. Of one thing the committee was sure, 
that no wrong had been done by Mildred. If her 
object had been to bait Margaret, only cheer had 
been intended for Mella. At Katharine’s sug- 
gestion, no notice was taken of the incident. 

Some few nights later, to the surprise of Mil- 
dred and the others, Mella, who had not seemed 
herself for days, suddenly exclaimed, “ Mildred, 
I feel I am not right to you as a friend. I wrote 
a note about your note to me in examination. 1 
cannot make love and that fit, so I tell you I am 
all untrue. I cannot believe, girls, what you all 
told me to do was right.” 

For fully a minute nothing was said. No one 
had ever seen Mella in such a tense mood; no one 
had ever seen her eyes with such pain in them. 
Such a result of their moral lesson had never been 
foreseen. They felt like culprits and looked it. 
Not one knew what to say or do. Then the un- 
expected happened. Mildred was nearer tears 
than they had ever seen her. Suddenly, to the 
amazement of all, she went to Mella and putting 
her arms around her, said with a real tremble in 
her voice: “ Princess, you are a trump I You’ve 


PROVING SOME THINGS 


73 


made me sorry, and that’s more than any one else 
can boast,” with some of her old-time fling. “ I 
didn’t believe you had the stufi in you. I take 
my hat off to you.” 

Mella’s face plainly showed how mystified she 
was by the incident. Then slowly, like the soft- 
est, mellowest beams of moonlight breaking 
through a cloud-rift upon a ripply lake, a smile 
came into her eyes and played uncertainly about 
her lips. “ Then — then it wasn’t to hurt you I ” 

She could have done anything with those girls. 
No one had anything much to say the rest of the 
evening, just mere commonplaces. Not often 
were these merry girls stirred in feeling as they 
had been to-night. 

“ Katharine, why can’t I tell Mildred my mis- 
take ? I’d feel so much better,” Margaret asked 
when they were alone. 

“ I wouldn’t. Kiddie. Mella’s Mella. You 
and Mildred are too different; Mildred loves to 
tease. If you only wouldn’t unhook your armor 
so often and give her a chance. I think she’s 
changed, though — a bit. It took pluck to say 
what she did to-night, lower her gay colors and 
show the good stuff there is inside the fort. You 
can’t help liking Topsy.” Even Katharine was 
under the spell of the evening’s revelations. 


CHAPTER VIII 

THEY WOULD A-CAMPING GO 

Loggerhead Point, June lo, 19 — . 

Dear Octets: 

“ Everything Is simply adorable here — I’ve 
even forgot to be lonesome I John, the sole man 
in the place, has just brought me Puck’s letter 
with your addendums. I simply can’t wait till you 
come! Think of It I All of us — just us, the 
unimpeachable we’s, the ‘ Pie Alleyites ’ — I don’t 
know any ‘ Fifth Avenue ’ people, you know — > 
to be here in this heavenly spot for six weeks 1 

“ Father has had the upper part of the boathouse 
made Into a lounge for us, decorated In our class 
colors — I am still one of you. Baby Stuart, 
Ethel, and Topsy may have one window seat with 
their yellow; It goes all right with our shades. 
One of the boats has been gorgeously painted 
yellow, with green cushions, but the motor launch 
is In our colors, — we outnuriiber you, you see. 
There is a huge fireplace and many days we shall 
live out there over the water. 

“ Our camp Is out on a bluff about a gunshot — ^ 
74 


THEY WOULD A^CAMPING GO 75 

Puck’s aim — from the big house in the woods, 
and simply perfect — logs rough, unhewn, inside 
and out; bunks of pine boards, hammocks, if you 
choose, a big fireplace. Our kitchen is simply 
darling 1 

“ Mother says there’s no need of you girls 
bringing any bedding ; she has enough at the house 
for us. We’re only a little way from the big 
house, and really very much to ourselves — just 
near enough to be properly looked after. Topsy 
may have to be chaperoned, but the rest will do, 
and, girls — don’t let Topsy see this — there’s a 
big camp down the lake, on the opposite side, 
which, they say, is to be taken by some Dartmouth 
fellows. If it is Ned’s contraption, we’ll leash 
our sporty member. Oh, hurry up and come; I 
can’t wait I If you were going to stay for com- 
mencement, I’d come down; I’ll have to next year 
if I’m not back. Mother is so much better that 
I may go back as a special — just hover round 
the edge of the learned academic atmosphere* 
grinding’s not my long suit, you know. 

“ Think of the moonlight sails on the lake, the 
swims, the fun we’ll have cooking, absolutely no 
shirking ; two by two, week on, week off. Oh, it’s 
going to be such fun I Do bring a lot of novels, 
and old magazines — the ‘ Ainsley Chatterer ’1 — « 


76 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

and your theses for light reading I There’s to be 
no company at the big house, so we’ll be able to 
collect a few squares on them if our stews don’t 
fill. Wish Mella could come; sorry she’s got to 
go with those New York friends; am wild to see 
her I Can’t she be spared a few days? Well, so 
long; Peter is calling to know something about the 
placing of the bunks. Oh, you dears I won’t I 
be thrilled to the bone to see you I 

“ Teddy Bear.” 

The various statements as the letter progressed 
were greeted with wildest expressions of glee, and 
many and frequent were the interruptions in the 
course of Katharine’s reading. This letter had 
been enclosed in one to her. The girls had been 
summoned in hot haste from the depths of their 
trunks, and had responded to the call in all kinds 
of costumes, snatching anything handy, to hear 
the eagerly awaited verdict on their summer plans. 
In three days they would be gone from the hall. 
Polly, as usual, going to New York to visit a 
cousin of her “ Remnant,” who had impressed the 
girls as a really whole man on his frequent visits 
to her during the year. Katharine’s playful nick- 
name, however, given him at the time of his op- 
eration, would always cling to him. Margaret, 


THEY WOULD A^CAMPING GO 77 

Katharine, and Ethel were going for two weeks 
to be with Flossy at her summer home on Mar- 
tha’s Vineyard; Mella was going directly to her 
New York friends. 

It was true that the girls had not wholly re- 
formed the improvident tendencies of this friend, 
who had grown so dear to all. Margaret had 
resigned the shopping expeditions to Ethel, who 
had really done remarkably well in her gentle, 
tactful way : for one needs to know what it means 
to have the shoe pinch to be able delicately to 
make it set on feet not used to close fits. One 
lesson every one of these girls had learned, — how 
mistakenly they had sounded her. Every week 
discovered some new pocket of gold. What they 
had thought was lack of moral standard, had 
proved to be merely misapprehension of the cus- 
toms and point of view, and often misunderstand- 
ing of her adopted tongue. Perhaps no one in 
the group had felt her first mistakes and regretted 
her tactics more than Mildred. Mella was so 
simple at times, always so tender and endearing, 
so interesting to watch, and so irresistible, that 
instead of breaking up the circle, their love for 
her had bound them all together in a tenderer, 
closer way than ever. Even in Mildred they no- 
ticed less of the fantastic devil-me-take attitude. 


78 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

“ Mildred’s different with me, Katharine,” 
Margaret had said when talking it over one day. 
“She’s not so unapproachable; I feel she’s 
franker.” So much was Margaret impressed with 
this change that again there had sprung up be- 
tween these one-time close friends the old intimacy. 
Nothing had been said; Mildred would have shied 
at any such admission of fault, and Margaret had 
learned some wisdom from past experience. She 
carried fewer chips around on her shoulders. 

Now they were already on the eve of their 
Junior and Senior years. 

“Oh, Mella, can’t you come, too? Wouldn’t 
a joint petition to your friends move their stony 
hearts, and grant you to us just half the time? 
Why, Princess, I shall become a degenerate again, 
after your and Ethel’s grand success with my 
reformation, and if I backslide there’s no telling 
how far down I’d go I ” Mildred pleaded, snug- 
gling up close to the dainty bundle of old-blue. 

“Mildred, but how could I go; they’ve done 
so much, I feel to owe them much ! But you could 
just a bit remember Mella, not to go too far 
down?” The smile and the questioning arch 
of the neck were enough to melt the hardest 
sinner. 

“ Princess, my confessor,” kneeling before her. 


THEY. WOULD A-CAMPING GO 79 

“may I be ossified by the Senate, but I will re- 
member thy injunctions ! ” 

Mella winced ; she always did under Mildred’s 
effusions. 

“ Just a part of August I We’ll all write them 
our most touching, heart-rending appeal to let you 
come. We really can’t spare you all the time. 
Won’t you let us?” Polly pleaded. 

Mella shook her head quite decisively. “No I 
I will see first. I would not have you till I see 
— oh, but I would love to be there 1 And will 
you pour tea every afternoon in that lovely boat- 
house cozy, and can we sail by moonlight? I 
want not to be rude to those kind friends.” Her 
eyes were full of far-off days, a yearning, inex- 
pressible something within them the girls could 
never fathom. She had forgotten every one pres- 
ent in her dream, as she often did. Polly always 
objected to having any one break them. “ I can 
see that lake now, Polly ; I am sitting among those 
cushions — you would have them soft colors, 
wouldn’t you?^ — looking out over the lake, and 
the moon is coming up.” 

“ Oh, but that’s too late for tea. Princess I ” 
Flossy interpolated. 

“ No, no, it has to be that way. All ripples 
and sparkles, and fading away off into little silver 


8o MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 


pathways. Once my mother, I feel, took me to 
a shore like that, and we stood there a long, long 
time. I was very tiny. I have never forgot,” 
— stopping as if she had lost the train of thought. 
The smile was not for any of them, but for the 
dream. Mella had never before spoken of her 
mother; the dark mystery overhanging her child- 
hood had been told them by Miss Deering. Once 
only to Katharine had she spoken of these feel- 
ings. 

Then Flossy suddenly started up ; she rarely was 
caught in sentimental dreams. Mella had come 
the nearest to tempting her into them of any per- 
son she had ever known. “ Well, girls, I’m going 
to pack.” The others soon followed. Was it 
Mella or the closing year; the fact that college 
life was half over for some and within a year of 
the end for others, that made this last gathering 
break up so quietly? 

“ Katharine, I’d like to know her life. There’s 
a great mystery; she’s felt things we girls never 
knew anything of. Sometimes she makes me feel 
just as if there were two of her,” Ethel said very 
thoughtfully. 


CHAPTER IX 

WHERE ALL THE WOODS ARE GREEN 

“ Oh, girls I ” It was Ethel’s exclamation. She 
was standing on the bluff by the side of their camp. 
The surface of the big lake was rippled with a cool 
breeze, which was frolicking with the skirts and 
hair of the girls as they stood there near Ethel, as 
much enraptured as she, if the adjectives counted 
for fervor. Far shores nodded in deep green over 
the lapping waves ; and on each side were woods, 
their soft shadows pushing out toward the other 
shore. Nothing was to be seen at first but woods 
and water dotted with tree-covered isles ; then here 
and there, red roofs, green gables, and chimneys 
discovered themselves, amidst the foliage on shore 
and islands. Here on this bluff, twenty feet above 
the swash, swash of the water, was their log bun- 
galow. 

A broad porch, screened in, extended out over 
the water; on it were steamer chairs, willow 
couches, rockers, hammocks, a tiny table here, 
a pot of ferns there ; a rack made of a fish-net upon 
the wall, full of magazines, song books, — in fact 
8i 


82 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 


everything that happened to need a resting place 
for the moment. 

“ Oh, such luxury ! I shall sit here and em- 
broider and let the strenuous ones do what they 
choose,” Polly cried, sinking into one of the big 
pillowed chairs. 

“No, you don’t! Perfect discipline is to be 
maintained in this camp 1 No one is to do as she 
pleases all the time — exercise, work, reading for 
the improvement of our minds, long tramps, row- 
ing stunts, regular swimming tasks, cooking, dishes, 
cleaning up camp must come in too 1 ” 

“ Slave driver Puck, have mercy ! Listen to 
those soft Lydian measures, — how can you 1 ” 
Araminta sighed, sinking into another chair. 

“ You know, my dear children, we especially 
specified that no maids should enter our domains 
— now who, pray, will do the stunts if we do 
not? ” Flossy protested. 

“Who’s to be captain this week? Oh, yes. 
Puck! But are we never, let me inquire, to be 
left to the felicitations of our own devices? ” Ara- 
minta asked. 

“ Araminta and Mildred, you are down on my 
book as housemaids; Flossy, cook, assisted by 
Polly, barring the pouring of tea — that’s forbid- 
den ! ” Sighs of relief greeted this last. “ Ethel 


ALL THE WOODS ARE GREEN 83 

and Margaret are dishwashers, and I shall buy the 
food and wait at table. Every man makes his 
own bed, and keeps his own corner in order.” 

There was a large living-room with a great fire- 
place, in which a four-foot log could be burned. 
Adjoining this was a room lined with bunks still 
unmade, and three chiffoniers tucked in among 
them. Back of the living-room was the kitchen, 
with its neat array of new cooking utensils. At 
one end was a large table, near it a cupboard of 
dishes. The large veranda at the back was evi- 
dently intended for a dining-room. There were a 
table and several chairs at one end, a refrigerator 
at the other. At the back of the house was a 
stove that suggested that on hot days cooking could 
be done upon it. 

Flossy and Katharine had already taken an in- 
ventory. For the night’s meal there appeared to 
be plenty of material. 

“ Are the cooks to make out the menus? ” Polly 
inquired. From her general air of indolence it 
might appear that her position of assistant was not 
impressing her deeply, nor could they discover that 
the chef was in any more promising mood. 

“ I’m going to get my bed made, and my side of 
the dresser settled,” Margaret announced, taking 
a cooky from the bag on the table as she passed 


84 MARGARET AS A^ SOPHOMORE 

it. This was a signal for the others, and soon a 
merry scene of bed-making was in progress. 
“ Here, Puck, where’s the slip for this pillow — 
none here — in the top or middle drawer, did you 
say; of which dresser, my dear? There are only 
four sets in the house I ” Araminta grumbled. 

“ I think that the cooks ought to be set free 
from all encumbering worries,” Flossy asserted, a 
pillow between her teeth. “ Look at my assist- 
ant 1 Would you ever dream that she has a task 
upon her hands? I’ve ordered her to prepare the 
potatoes for baking. You can see how she’s do- 
ing it.” 

“ Would you like any assistance in rousing 
her?” Mildred asked, flopping a blanket into 
place. “ I’ve unsettled the dignity of this moral 
company before.” 

“ No, Topsy, she’d be maimed for the week if 
you should attack her. Please don’t try,” coax- 
ingly. 

“ Not if you’ll agree, Cinderella, to see to it 
that I’m held up to no moral schedule throughout 
the entire summer.” 

Just then a knock was heard at the back door. 
“ Come I ” Mildred cried. 

“Why, Topsy! This isn’t ‘Fifth Avenue,’ 
you poor social degenerate! ” Teddy Bear cried. 


ALL THE WOODS ARE GREEN 85 

going to the door, the others peering through any 
hidden aperture to get a sight of their first caller. 
“ Oh, it’s you, Peter ! ” 

“ Yes, Miss Theodosia.” There were unmis- 
takable giggles from the bedroom. This digni- 
fied name for their mate who had been known so 
long as Teddy Bear was too much. “ The Missis 
is after wishing to know if you’d be wanting any- 
thing,” a grin struggling through his dignity at 
the heads here and there visible. His hat was in 
his hand, and the wind was playing with his curly 
red hair. A grin wrinkled up his sunburned 
face at the cry from the porch, “ Did anybody say 
feed?” 

“ Sh — shl ” was heard on every side. 

“I haven’t heard the gong; what’s the mat- 
ter? ” drawled Polly, still oblivious of the caller. 

“ I didn’t know but you’d be liking the fires 
kindled — to give you a start like.” It was evi- 
dent that Peter was struggling to hide his skepti- 
cism. His opinion of college girls’ ability in such 
lines was not well grounded. 

“No, Peter, we can do everything ourselves, 
thank you. Tell Mother not to forget to come 
down for the evening if she’s able.” 

“ That’s it. Miss, she’ll not be coming alone. 
Mr. Baring’s just come, unexpected-like, and 


86 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 


would a call from them both be pleasant to the 
young ladies? ” Peter was all seriousness now. 

“Sure thing — delighted, Teddy,” came from 
several. 

“ Pm obliged to you. Pll be telling them,” 
bowing and waiting his young mistress’ signal to 
leave. “ You wouldn’t be liking the kindling 
fetched for the grate, and the fire laid? ” 

“No, Peter, we’ll manage that; if you see us 
being smoked out, appear.” 

“ Yes, Miss.” Peter was gone. 

“ Cinderella and I will get the fire started; it’s 
chilly already,” Teddy decided. 

The beds were ready and the girls came out and 
began to wander around. 

“Did you call. Flossy dear?” Polly asked, 
coming in from the porch. “ Mine to lay the 
fire!” 

“ Whew I We’ll be smoked herrings by the end 
of the week, if this is to be our fate when Polly 
builds the fire 1 ” Katharine cried. “ Now, do it 
this way, see — paper, kindling — no, no, not all 
straight — artistically, Polly — there — no, no 
wood yet — here, a match! Now it’s all right.” 

“ Puck, where did you learn the art? ” 

“ If you had camped out as many times as I 


ALL THE WOODS ARE GREEN 87 

have, you’d soon learn the difference between a 
fire and a smother. You could make your for- 
tune at smothers nights in the open,” Katharine 
replied. 

The fires were blazing merrily in grate and 
stove, just giving the rooms the needed touch of 
homishness. 

“ Here, everybody turn out and bring in our 
night log; Peter’s probably hanging round to see 
us prove ourselves in need of a man. You ought 
to have heard him smile when I told him he was 
to pile it outside in the shed,” Teddy laughed. 

Soon they had two birch logs beside the hearth 
ready for the fire. Meanwhile Flossy, covered 
by a huge apron, cookbook before her, was mix- 
ing something in a bowl. Polly was daintily pick- 
ing potatoes from a basket with the tips of her 
fingers, and putting them into a pan. The process 
of washing them was still funnier. The girls 
were enjoying her discomfiture. 

Better use the tongs, Polly, and the brush- 
broom,” Katharine taunted, brushing the bark 
from her dress. Polly darted towards her a dis- 
dainful glance and went on with her work. 

“ Just right for the tates, Polly,” Flossy ex- 
claimed, testing the oven. 


88 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

“ Yes, but these are not ready for it, my dear.” 

“ How many pray do you think we’ll consume? 
Two apiece is enough.” 

“ I thought rd get it over with for the week,” 
continuing to pile them up as she washed them, 
‘‘then I wouldn’t have to dirty my fingers up 
again,” holding the offending members out and 
viewing them with tragic horror. 

Finally the potatoes were cleaned and placed 
in the oven. “ Now what next? ” with a comic 
sigh. 

“ Grease the gem irons I ” mercilessly holding 
out a dish containing a rag soaked in butter. 

“That I Touch that! Oh, Flossy I Well, if 
I must I ” Then a bright idea struck her. Rush- 
ing to the cupboard she returned triumphantly 
with a long-handled fork. Spearing the offensive 
article she plunged the dripping rag into the muf- 
fin tins. But there were difficulties getting it into 
all parts, and in one of her flourishes the saucer 
clattered to the floor. Ethel jumped for another 
rag, but finding only a towel took that to sop up 
the grease; another rescued the fallen saucer. 
Flossy, dire despair in her face, gazed from the 
wreck to her assistant. Polly was calmly nurs- 
ing her burned finger, unconcerned as usual over 
the effect of this flourish as over the tea that went 


ALL THE WOODS ARE GREEN 89 

not cup-ward. Katharine enjoying It all, finished 
greasing the tins, and soon the biscuits were In 
the oven. 

“ Flossy, dear, what can I do to assist you 
now? ’’ Polly beamed, coming from the bedroom, 
a rag covering the burn. 

“ Get the steak out from the Ice chest.” 

“ And land It on the floor,” Mildred finished. 

Polly obediently brought the meat. “ Has to 
be pounded, doesn’t It?” searching about for a 
cudgel-looking Implement for the purpose. 

“ Are you feeling so spiteful as that towards 
the poor dumb thing? ” Katharine teased, as she 
piled some wood Into the stove. “ More wood I 
That’s the housemaid’s job.” 

“ Grandmother always used to pound hers. 
Has that also been abolished by modern cooking 
schools ? ” Polly asked, opening the steak dream- 
ily with' the offending fork of the greasing epi- 
sode. 

Flossy took the steak away, and then tested the 
potatoes. Meanwhile Polly was looking through 
the larder. Soon she exultantly produced a head 
of lettuce, a bag of nuts, and some oranges. All 
were Interested. 

“ Here, Araminta, that’s a dear, crack your fin- 
gers and Incidentally a few nuts; Mildred and 


90 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

Ethel, you know you want to peal and cut up these 
oranges Into squares.” 

As the oranges were cut, Polly spooned out a 
few and placed them upon two or three lettuce 
leaves, carefully washed and dried. Over this she 
sprinkled the nuts,. covering each portion with olive 
oil before placing It In the Ice chest. 

“ But I had to, Puck,” Polly exclaimed, “ your 
fertile brains must concoct another dessert,” as 
Katharine held before her the menu and pointed 
to the oranges. “ Simply could not resist.” 

A search discovered to the tried caterer some 
fruit cake. “ I have it, Polly, not a moment shall 
you rest from your labors. Whip up some cream; 
we’ll steam up this and have that on It.” 

Flossy stood near the window looking over the 
menu, a comic look of despair In her face. 
The girls knew that solemn scratch of the ear. 
‘‘ The peas I” 

“ Oh, Flossy I Peter’s adorable peas I ” Teddy 
cried, coming from her work of setting the table. 
“ He’ll never forgive me; they’re his first. He’s 
tended them so faithfully to let us have them our 
first dinner.” 

Come on, all hands, let’s shell them. Can’t 
we get them done? ” Mildred cried, bringing out 
the basket. 


ALL THE WOODS ARE GREEN 91 

“ No, you’ll have to go without. The spuds 
are In a popping state, biscuits perfect; steak must 
be cooked at once,” was Flossy’s damper to this 
proposal. It was greeted by groans from all. 

Soon the delicious odor of broiling steak was 
adding to their already keen appetites. It was a 
hungry company that at last, after many excur- 
sions to cupboard and pantry for forgotten arti- 
cles, sat down to enjoy this cosy meal of their first 
night In camp. 

The dishwashers displaced the cooks and ca- 
terers, and the table was soon ready for break- 
fast. When the work was finished and the lights 
turned out, they gathered about the big fireplace. 
It was raining, so the porch was abandoned. Mr. 
and Mrs. Baring soon joined them, and renewed 
their college days, listening to their merry songs 
to the accompaniment of Katharine’s guitar and 
Mildred’s banjo. 


CHAPTER X 

THAT BUNCH OF BANANAS 

Four weeks had taken to themselves wings and 
flown toward the senior-junior year of the oc- 
tet. Only three weeks were left to them of this 
ideal summer. Nothing could have been chosen 
that would have been more fruitful of fun-pro- 
voking, helpful experiences to this group of girls 
than regulating their own affairs in camp. 

“ We don’t have the inconvenience of having 
to look after the chaperon, and yet we are most 
properly chaperoned,” Katharine remarked when 
they were getting into bed at ten-thirty, which, 
during these weeks had been their prescribed bed- 
time. “ They’re always such real objects of pity, 
and yet the delicacy of their position is such that 
one can’t just express the feeling.” 

“ Yes, and the best of it is. Mamma is so sure 
that we’re capable of taking care of ourselves 
now, that she has no anxiety over us at all,” Teddy 
added. 

“ No, the most disgruntled and fastidious Mrs. 
Grundy couldn’t judiciously turn up her nose at 
92 


THAT BUNCH OF BANANAS 


93 


our position,” continued Katharine. “ Now just 
the training Polly’s fingers are getting In touching 
dishes will be of such advantage to the Remnant 
the entire length of their sojourn together. Imag- 
ine, just for a moment, what his biscuits would 
have been that first night had the hour of trial been 
postponed till after their joyful union I ” 

Polly, curled up in her bunk, sighed as she 
counted over four burns and two stains on her 
usually immaculate fingers. “ If he really gets a 
remnant himself, he may be grateful ! ” This 
had been her week as chief cook. She had served 
twice as understudy, once to Flossy and once to 
Katharine; each had been merciless in her exac- 
tions. 

“ He ! Between mortal escapes from being 
made potple of, fried in the pan, and baked in the 
oven, I remain to tell the story of my week of sub 
to Polly!” Araminta ejaculated, crawling into 
bed. “ ’Tis enough of a coming in for one 
senior.” 

“ Speaking of seniors, girls, let’s do something 
wild and thrilling to-morrow night to celebrate 
the Princess’ arrival. She must not find us so 
prosaic. This life of the just will eat me up yet I ” 

“ The just ! Do you call that thrilling diving 
match in the middle of the lake, poor Peter eat- 


94 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

ing his heart out for fear you and Margaret would 
never come up, the life of the just? Crawling out 
of bed in the dead of night and raising our hair 
on end with fear that Indians or robbers were 
breaking into our cabin, call you that tame. Miss 
Topsy? Well, If you do, may I not be here to 
experience your hilarious moods!” Flossy de- 
nounced, tossing her long black hair over her face 
to comb it out. 

“ Why, Topsy, I think your gardening sprees 
with Peter are almost romantic. Such excitement 
as you give him with that hoe ! I know he has to 
replant half the beds after you have been assisting 
him,” Ethel added. 

“ Oh — What I — why, Topsy ! ” came from 
two smothered voices. It was not to be resisted, 
— Flossy’s halr-bedraped face toward the cots; 
Mildred had tipped her bodily, head-on Into the 
reposeful Araminta. The Impact and the resist- 
ance brought bedclothes and girls, Mildred teet- 
ering on top, to the floor. 

“ ’TIs not enough, that after a day of direful 
domestic tragedies, — burned potato chips, spilled 
boiling lard, biscuits dejected and inanimate, but 
I must thus be ejected from my virtuous couch! 
This, this is the simple life 1 ” Only Araminta’s 
face and hands were exposed ; her eyes were rolled 


THAT BUNCH OF BANANAS 


95 

in tragic pathos toward the ceiling, nor was she 
in any way trying to extricate herself from the tan- 
gle. 

Katharine and Teddy sprang to her assistance, 
and with the aid of the others, lifted their abused 
sub-chef to her deserted couch, and laying her in a 
limp heap, began to straighten out the bedclothes. 
Mildred was dancing Ethel about the big living- 
room, singing negro songs at the top of her lungs. 
Soon leaving her partner, she began some of her 
gayest negro folk-dances, snapping her fingers and 
throwing herself about in the most captivating 
manner. The girls could not resist it, and soon 
the guitar and banjo came out ; Araminta, her woes 
forgotten, stepped off a cake-walk with Polly in 
their phantom costumes. For the simple life the 
hour was late when they settled down ; for as their 
spirits cooled they curled up in front of the 
grate fire and talked as only girls can. Before 
retiring it had been decided to go for a moon- 
light trip upon the lake to celebrate Mella’s 
arrival. 

They had, with some few noted variations, lived 
up to their daily schedule : breakfast at eight-thir- 
ty; cleaning up of cottage directly after morning 
swim; hanging up of bathing dresses; do-as-you- 
please hour; dinner (except when picnics are 


96 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE . 

planned) at one; feelings being unanimous and 
weather permitting, boating or tramps in the 
woods, or afternoon of reading in lounge, or siesta 
on the porch ; tea at five ; high tea at seven-thirty ; 
do-as-you-please evening; turn in at ten-thirty. 
Often Peter was inveigled into taking them for 
long trips in the launch. That he enjoyed it was 
evinced by the appreciative fun in his blue eyes, 
deep under his rusty red eyebrows. 

Mildred was his especial delight. Her antics 
were an untiring source of enjoyment to him; 
Katharine could always get him to talk. Her 
ready tact in making him feel at ease was the talis- 
man. Katharine possessed the secret of putting 
herself in the other fellow’s place and seeing 
things from his view-point. It was what Ara- 
minta called her “ Lincolnsonian stunt.” 

Four o’clock brought Mella. There was the 
same indescribable charm of personality, from the 
soft brown hat with lavender bows, down the lines 
of her tan traveling suit to the tiny bronze feet. 
The eyes were as impenetrably brilliant as ever, 
and grew more so as she stepped into the big 
lounge over the boathouse, where Polly sat pourr 
ing tea behind the dainty tea-table in the big bow 
window overlooking the water. 

“ Oh, Polly! To have you pouring tea in it! 


■ 



‘‘I’LL WAGER MY SPRING HAT IT IS A 
FRATERNITY STUNT.” 



■ -‘v 

. “ 

\ - 


♦ “ 



1 •• • 


^ - ■ ■ ■ •-= -V^' 

.^f- ^•>. ii.fi, -»-«r»'r^f * 

r« ^ * -» ' ^' 41 ^ *■■ ' 

. .. ^,. .._•» 


* V 





t •' 


.'✓* 'll* -I M ' ^’r' ■• k 

mniJ:: I. /.-^ ^ £ i ' . ' 


P . »V “ ■''**■' If.'/ ■'*'•7 ‘ -.- ...^ r.-j 

^ -. 47 - .1 .'•/ ■ ■ ' t •. 

p»*i**'V ^'7 V 






4 » 

1 ^. ^ < 


• 1 ^: 


,'Jr 1 4 


i 

V. 


ij t 



Wu 


W 4 t •• 1 t ^i'/^ . 


V?' 






C-:% 




.li 


i 








>•! 


T-i ts’ ■ ■■•, ' 


«... - •. 


r .. 1 ^ *^^7 V , ■v-il 


- • ,- Jt; 

I . ' ‘i; ', /<■ 







K 


-^L 


r«> 








V 






.:'.W- -if .■ V -t:;-”.;p, > 










THAT BUNCH OF BANANAS 97 

Oh, my lake I The pretty color — it’s not to tell 
how I feel,” after a long pause. 

They had arranged it all as she had dreamed 
it out before she left in June. The gold-edged 
cup was in her hands, which Polly had brought 
up for her special delight. The girls were about 
her, unable to keep far from her. Mella chatted 
on, broken by long moments when she was utterly 
lost to them ; then suddenly coming back to them 
with that smile and sigh which they all found so 
irresistible, she would listen to their story of the 
five weeks of camp life, or give them bits of her 
vacation. She had missed them, of that they 
were sure ; and the beam on her face, spreading so 
infectiously over their own, told her how welcome 
she was. Her raptures knew no bounds over the 
proposed excursion up the lake, with a real corn 
roast at the end. 

It was about six when the last bundle had 
been stowed away, and the girls, warmly wrapped, 
snuggled into the little launch, with Peter at the 
helm. The only drawback was a line of dark 
clouds in the south, along close to the horizon. 
Peter, importuned for comfort, had said wisely, 
‘‘There was no dependin’ on them lakes; ’twas 
likely to be fair, and then again ’twasn’t; but the 
only way ye’d be sure was to go.” 


98 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

The camp of Dartmouth men across the lake 
had not so far shown any signs of life. Peter 
had several times taken them past it. To-night 
Katharine and Teddy had planned to picnic on 
the extreme point opposite the camp. Peter took 
them south first to give Mella a taste of the lake; 
then skirted along into the shadows of the farther 
shore, giving her peeps of the camps here and 
there as they slowly putted along. To their as- 
tonishment Mella was not satisfied. The arti- 
ficial manner of gliding through the water seemed 
to jar upon her sense of the fitness of things. 

“ The lap of the oars — it is to feel the music ! ” 
she had exclaimed when nearly half way to the 
camping place. 

“ Mella, you shall hear them this very night,” 
Mildred promised. 

As they passed the Dartmouth camp, to their 
surprise, Peter ran in very close to the shore. No 
sign of occupation was at first apparent. Then 
suddenly Katharine exclaimed, “ Peter, do you 
grow bananas here ? Look at that bunch hanging 
on that tree I ” Sure enough, there it was. No 
one was in sight, and otherwise the camp looked 
deserted. “ Pretty good for a finish to our feast, 
eh?” 

Then Peter sped across the little inlet of the 


THAT BUNCH OF BANANAS 


99 


lake to the bluff, a half mile off. Although the 
lake was very narrow here, there were little la- 
goons leading to the other lakes. 

Soon all was bustle and fun; Peter and the 
girls working for dear life to get the eatables up 
the inclined path. Peter quickly started a fire, 
and Katharine and Teddy put the potatoes Into 
the hot ashes to bake. The ears of corn were 
placed In their husks upon sharp sticks and held 
in the fire to roast, but very frequently withdrawn 
by the eager cooks to be tested. Peter made the 
coffee In the big camp coffee pot, while two other 
girls were detailed to set the paper plates and 
necessary eating utensils on the rock table on the 
point of the bluff. 

“ Where are Mella and Mildred? ” Polly sud- 
denly cried, stopping in the midst of her work of 
placing the roasted corn on the big basket cover, 
which she had garnished with leaves. All had 
been so busy since the corn roasting began that 
In the flickering light the absence of the two girls 
had not been noticed. A hurried trip down the 
path to the boat, excited trills from the bluff, hal- 
loos Into the surrounding deeps of the woods failed 
to discover them; only the echoes of their own 
voices were wafted to them from the shadows of 
woods and glooming lake. 


100 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 


“ Some of Mildred’s antics ! She’s perhaps giv- 
ing Mella that boat ride with the music of the lap- 
ping oars, in the old boat at the landing,” Flossy 
suggested. 

Soon everything was ready, and the girls were 
impatient to begin, so they sat down. Peter sug- 
gested, much too smilingly, the girls thought, 
“ That they’d be landin’ pert-like when victuals 
called.” Oh, that corn, fragrant with the husk; 
those potatoes crisp from the ashes; that coffee, 
the odor of which, ascending to the moon-kissed 
leaves, was enough to entice back the spirits of 
the old Druids slumbering in this old temple; the 
sandwiches with dainty lettuce leaves crisp within, 
olives, cold chicken I 

“ Yum, yum I To the victor belong the spoils I 
Here, Katharine, is the dessert you asked for.” 

There was Mildred holding aloft with Mella’s 
help, that bunch of bananas. Mella’s eyes were 
dancing with ftin, 

“ You young pirates 1 You don’t mean — ” 

“Yes — urn! Here, I want an ear of corn! 
Oh, my buttons, but I’m hungry — don’t wonder 
pirates were’ cannibals I Yum, yum, isn’t this 
bully, — < in the immortal words of T. R.” 

The girls could do nothing but laugh. Who 
could resist Mildred’s spirits? 


THAT BUNCH OF BANANAS loi 


“ To hear thy wish, Puck, is to obey.” 

“ They really had no owners, we could see none, 
Polly,” Mella hastened to defend this apprecia- 
tive friend who had given her such a treat on that 
moonlit lake. To be sure, Mella would have 
liked it to be less rapid, and the sudden raid was 
a bit too sudden and exciting for an ideal dreamy 
time, but it had all been romantic and beautiful, 
so nothing had jarred. She could not conceal her 
radiant enjoyment of it all. 

“ Stealing! why, Mella, my child,” with a dis- 
carding flourish, “ ’twas a moonlight raid, fair 
warning having been given the garrison.” 

Mella laughed one of her gurgling laughs. 
“Oh, girls, it was so funny — like an Indian 
chief’s boast I Mildred standing up there on that 
shore all alone, waving her hands, the moonlight 
all about her, the water just lapping the shore. 
And then crying out, ‘ Is there anybody here 
lays claim to this fruit? ’ she waits. Then she 
starts toward the boat with that load. I tried 
to help her all I could. I pulled the boat to 
the shore — oh, it was so like a fairy story!” 
The girls were so fascinated by Mella’s picture 
of the scene that Peter was much distressed lest 
the coffee be neglected. 

“ I’m sure, Peter, you were grand high mogul 


102 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 


to Mohammed once, you make coffee with such an 
aroma.” 

“ Maylike, Miss; it’s good if yez put me there,” 
with a grin on his face. 

“ Peter, don’t let Topsy be making a heathen 
of you. We’ll see that St. Peter puts you on the 
incense corps when you go up.” 

“ Peter, you know I’m your best friend. You’d 
expire up here but for me. I give you your only 
real recreation.” Peter was shaking so he could 
hardly hold his coffee pot, and the great wrinkles 
from his eyes and mouth were spreading like the 
overflow-streams from a river over some sun- 
baked meadow. 

The bananas were good, sweeter than any 
grown on home fruit stands, they all declared. 
When all were satisfied, Katharine insisted upon 
their carefully hanging up the fruit in plain sight 
of the camp, with a note of thanks. Every girl 
helped pen it, taking turns with the words till the 
verse had been carefully composed. Then It 
was secured to the bunch. If the owners were 
near, they could but be interested in that group 
of piquant faces close to the firelight, composing 
with mirth uncontrollable their lines : 

’Twas only a bunch of bananas, 

Only a yellow mess; 


THAT BUNCH OF BANANAS 103 


But the reason ’twas so luscious 
Because, shall we confess? 

All stolen fruit’s so precious! 
May you enjoy the rest! 


As they finished securing the bunch to a low 
tree, an ominous rumble startled every one. Peter 
already had collected many of the things and 
stowed them in the launch. No sudden wind 
among dry leaves ever scattered more quickly 
those memories of a bygone season than did that 
clap the girls. None of them relished a storm 
out on the lake, four miles from camp. They 
had already had a taste of the storms of the 
region. 

A glance upon the lake showed them that a 
heavy mist was already shutting down. Peter’s 
face was anxious. So absorbed had he been with 
their fun that he had not noticed the approaching 
weather. When they reached the boat with the 
last articles, Peter, having already put out the fire, 
had the engine throbbing away in good earnest, 
as if eager to be off. It was already impossible 
to see three feet from them. Peter was laconic- 
ally scratching his head and gazing out from the 
stern. Teddy was close to him. 

“ I’m not afther likin’ it. The blame on me- 
self! This blatherin’ lake. It’s no decent spot 


104 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

for a Christian batch of pretty girls this ongodly 
night.” 

“ Had we better try it, Peter? Couldn’t we go 
back by the path?” Teddy asked. 

“ Ye’d be lost babes In the wood, and shure. 
Na, na — be aisy; we’ll come up soon — the 
moon’s like to come out.” 

Girls’ spirits of the height of this company re- 
quired more than a mist to dampen them. Mar- 
garet, Katharine, and Mildred had no fears, and 
the others soon responded to their cheer. Soon 
their voices were piercing the fog in rollicking 
song. The boat was pushing its way through the 
roughing water, throwing the spray over one and 
another. What rumbling there was came from 
a distance. 

Suddenly a swishing, scraping sound quieted 
every one. The boat began to slow down — they 
were among the lily-pads. 

“ Why, Peter! We must have headed wrong; 
we’re in the inlet.” 

“ You never said a truer spache. Miss. And 
Pm afther thinkin’ we’re grounded.” His worst 
fears were realized. He dared not risk disabling 
the engine by attempting to back out of that condi- 
tion. 

Taking the oars from their places, Peter leaned 


THAT BUNCH OF BANANAS 105 

far over and sounded. Then he began to push, 
Katharine and Margaret following his example 
with the other oar. The boat felt the effect and 
rolled a bit. Feeling cautiously about the prow, 
Peter began to climb over. 

“ Here, Peter, our only hope, do tie this rope to 
your waist I ” Katharine cried, handing him the 
rope at her feet. 

Peter obeyed with a benevolent grin, and get- 
ting his feet on a mud knoll he began slowly to 
push the boat, the girls helping all they could with 
the oars. Soon it gave a sudden slush into the 
water and was afloat. Peter leaped in, giving 
it a still farther start back. Now if the fog would 
only lift enough to let them see their way. 

“Fifteen men on the dead man’s chests 
Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum! 

Drink and the devil had done for the rest=^ 
Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum I” 

rang out in clear male voices, very near. 

“Ship ahoy! Lend us a hand; where are 
we? ” Peter cried. 

“ There’s your pirate crew now, Topsy,” 
Margaret whispered. 

“The bananas! Our doom is sealed!” 'Ara- 
minta gasped. 

The steady splash of oars was plainly heard 


io6 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 


nearing. Then into the light a boatload of men 
in slouch hats came. 

“ Give us your painter, old sport — we’ll tow 
you out.” Then singing at the top of their lungs 
Stevenson’s famous song of Captain Flint, they 
slowly pulled them into open water. The girls 
were in stifled convulsions of laughter, and even 
Peter seemed to be enjoying the situation. 

“ There you are — now straight ahead in open 
water, keep to your port side,” the leader directed 
in a muffled voice. Sounds of laughter came 
across the water through the fog, as the boat left 
them. The girls had kept well crouched over, 
hiding their faces while the men were within 
their light, and now could restrain themselves no 
longer. 

Peter started the engine. It gasped, plunged 
forward, then stopped. After a long nursing it 
began again, intermittently. Soon, however, it 
seemed to revive and they were merrily forging 
ahead. The rescuers had vanished into the dark- 
ness. Now and then they heard distant bursts 
of song, but this after a time died away. The 
fog had lifted somewhat, and soon the light from 
the boathouse glimmered feebly out to them; it 
was a welcome sight. 

Mr. and Mrs. Baring were on the landing to 


THAT BUNCH OF BANANAS 107 

meet them. They had been planning for their 
rescue. Hot cocoa and wafers were waiting for 
them at the big house, and the girls made no demur 
at this innovation. 


CHAPTER XI 


“THE MURMURING PINES AND THE 
HEMLOCKS ’’ 

The girls had really flattered themselves that 
they were a trifle above the average in swimming, 
but, when Mella came, all mention of former 
prowess was noticeably absent from their conver- 
sation. 

“ I firmly believe you were a mermaid, Mella 
dear,” Katharine laughed one morning, as that 
young lady stood before her on the sandy beach, 
still dripping from an early plunge in the clear 
waters of the lake. 

“ I could believe it, Kathreno, I feel so at home 
there. This lake — I hear things when I’m near 
it,” including all, — lake, sky, woods, in her glance. 

“ That’s alarming. Princess. Some of these 
days we’ll miss you. You’ll have vanished as 
completely as the pirates have, camp, bananas, — 
all. Please, don’t I We couldn’t go back to col- 
lege without you.” Mella instantly beamed up 
into Katharine’s face, pressed the hand that had 
io8 


'' THE MURMURING PINES '' 109 

taken hers, and hurried away to change for break- 
fast. 

In fact, so much had they realized what it would 
mean to go back to college without this friend, 
that, through the assistance of Katharine’s, Mar- 
garet’s, Teddy’s, and Mildred’s fathers, the 
friends in New York had been able to complete a 
fund that assured her return for another year. 
No one had been more active in this effort than 
Mildred. 

There were only two more days left before 
breaking camp. Katharine and Teddy were going 
with Margaret to join her people at their summer 
home in Maine; Mildred was going to take Mella 
for a cruise with her father and Ned, along the 
coast of New England; Ethel was going to her 
uncle’s home in New York State. She had main- 
tained a satisfactory degree of scholarship, and 
now he was to help her through the next two 
years. Flossy and Polly were to visit friends. 

In three weeks they would all be back in old 
Ware, — all but Teddy. The last night of their 
camp they were to spend on an island, far up 
among the rushes and lilies, in one of the upper 
lakes. Peter and his wife were to spend the night 
in the open with them. At the head of the lake 


no MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 


the launch was to be abandoned for canoes. They 
were greatly excited over this anticipated lark. 

“ A real exploring tour up those winding inlets I 
Oh, Katharine, IVe never been on a real one be- 
fore — and in canoes, too ! ’’ Ethel’s face reflected 
Mella’s rapture, only that Mella seemed like one 
come back to Her native haunts. She would sit 
two hours at a time on a favorite shady bluff, 
gazing out into the water. Once or twice Mil- 
dred declared that she saw tears sparkle through 
the smile always ready for the girls when they 
interrupted these quiet times. 

‘‘ Girls, I’m subdued at times under their spell,” 
Mildred announced. 

“ The most convincing proof of what you think 
you see of mystery in your charmer, Topsy.” 
Mella seemed to possess the gift of bringing out 
the tenderest and deepest in each of the girls; 
yet, save for little flashes, she rarely, even vaguely, 
alluded to herself. 

As the girls stepped from the launch to the 
beach near the banana scene and began to trans- 
fer themselves and the necessities for this night’s 
outing to the canoes, Peter’s watch indicated ten 
o’clock. He had informed them that the destina- 
tion was an all-day’s paddle from the head of the 
lake. Often as they progressed from one pond 


THE MURMURING PINES '' 


III 


to another, they lost sight of Peter, so blind were 
the canals. They lingered or paddled rapidly as 
the mood seized them. Lone herns were caught 
napping, or stretching forth the resting leg, would 
fly to the top of a tree, uttering their wild cries. 
Sand hens scuttled off across the thick lily pads; 
solemn-eyed frogs blinked and sunned themselves, 
thinking it not worth while to leap to cover; in- 
formed by Peter, possibly, that these were col- 
lege girls from Massachusetts, where vivisection 
isn’t done in the open. At any rate, they didn’t 
budge. The shores were thick with tamaracks, 
and rushes marched all in among the lily pads as 
oddly as that famous army sprung from dragons’ 
teeth. The very remoteness from the work-a- 
day world, the soft twitter of birds, the sudden 
wild calls, the unfamiliar noises, the “ oilily bub- 
bling meres,” the sudden flights of herns and 
cranes, — all seemed to hush their spirits into 
harmony with the surroundings. Even Mildred, 
who was paddling for Polly, seemed to dream her 
way along. 

Katharine and Mella were some distance ahead 
of the others, and at Mella’s request she had 
turned into a quiet little inlet close under the shore, 
for the pure love of seeing where it would come 
out. Mella sat in the bow, her dark hair rippling 


1 12 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 


in the sunlight, her hand trailing a lily in the water, 
utterly lost, most of the time, with the beauty of 
it all. Katharine had stopped paddling in a 
darkly shaded pool. 

“ Kathreno, once — once I did this ; I can’t 
tell where. There are memories when I get in 
such places, — it’s always my mother with me. 
You know, I — never have known who my par- 
ents are ; but since I came here, I almost remember 
things; then — then they all go away.” 

Katharine did not speak for some moments ; she 
saw that Mella was struggling to keep down her 
feelings, usually well suppressed. “ I’ve known 
you felt things, Mella dear ; you’ll some day get it 
straightened out, too.” 

“ Yes, you’ve always known. You did when I 
was so lonesome at college; you understand when 
I’m feeling them, then I always want you to know; 
but — It’s to tell you. I can’t find just how.” 
The eyeis lifted to Katharine’s were not veiled, the 
deeps of pain were there; yet the smile struggled 
Into them again as they met Katharine’s assuring 
hopefulness and tender sympathy. 

Yet even to Katharine’s discerning eyes this 
was a revelation of what had been only half 
guessed at. When she took up her paddle again 
after a long silence, Katharine felt as If she had 


THE MURMURING PINES 113 

waked from a dream. What a lonely, lonely 
little heart had been hiding under that charm of 
manner! And some of them had even thought 
her a butterfly! 

“Where have you been? We’ve hailed Peter 
and hunted under the lily pads for you. What 
have you been discovering? ” Polly chided, really 
troubled for them. 

“ Several continents and a lonely isle,” Katha- 
rine replied enigmatically. Teddy glanced from 
face to face of the two girls and read what no 
one else did in the reply. Mella was herself 
again, and demanded the paddle. 

“ Mermaids don’t know how to paddle. Prin- 
cess,” Katharine protested. 

“ They often make canoes of the lily pads and 
with leaves for paddles wander In just such haunts. 
I remember doing it ; let me show you.” 

“Vanquished! Girls, Pve a rival.” Sure 
enough, not a girl among them could do It so 
skillfully, and certainly not half so “ adorably.” 

Their canoeing match was soon interrupted by 
an halloo from Peter. Emerging from an un- 
usually long avenue of rushes, they saw just ahead 
of them an Island, upon which Peter had already 
a good fire started. Katy was busy getting 
things ready for lunch. It was a hungry company 


1 14 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

that gathered around the fire, and glad enough to 
stretch themselves, after their long paddle. 

“ Oh, girls ! That awful snake I ” Polly 
screamed. All but Teddy, Margaret, and Katha- 
rine leaped to their feet. They ate calmly on. 

Peter rushed to the rescue, stone in hand, from 
his resting place on a knoll back of them. Mar- 
garet was on her feet at once. 

“ Please, Peter, don’t kill it; it’s only a harm- 
less water snake,” stepping between Peter and his 
victim, scurrying off. 

“ What nonsense I Margaret, that’s their 
curse, my dear,” drawled Araminta, rather enjoy- 
ing the dramatic turn things had taken. “ Don’t 
stop the car of destiny. Peter, carry out their 
doom I ” 

Peter, grinning, started to obey; but Margaret, 
too quick for him, stepped between him and the 
snake, and lifting it with a stick which she had 
picked up, tossed it into the water. 

“ There I ” triumphantly turning on the laugh- 
ing girls. “ There’s no need of killing everything 
just because its ugly or squirmy. They have just 
as much right to live as you have.” Margaret 
seated herself and went calmly to eating, the other 
girls following her example. 

“ Now, Baby Stuart, I call that sentiment. I’m 


THE MURMURING PINES 115 


sure IVe no desire to meet them in my rambles,” 
Flossy remonstrated. 

The rest of the girls were laughing good-humor- 
edly. They were used to Margaret’s rescues, and 
secretly admired her courage. Even caterpillars 
had often been rescued from the walks, and put in 
safe places. No amount of joking could prevent 
her from looking out for a creature in need. In 
time they had even fallen into line, and she had 
seen Flossy reprove a teamster for beating his 
horse. Peter, with a grin and shrug, had gone 
back to his interrupted meal. What could any 
one make out of such things? 

Mella reached over, as Margaret seated her- 
self, and touching her arm said, “ I was wonder- 
ing what he’d done to be killed.” 

“ If the Princess is converted, there’s no hope. 
Bob, thy spirit is active yeti ” Mildred jexclaimed 
wickedly, smiling over at Margaret, to whom 
Katharine was feeding a sandwich. Margaret 
was enjoying her hard-earned satisfaction, and 
cared not a pin what was said. 

The girls changed partners to finish the trip. 
The afternoon stretch was clearer sailing; for the 
stream had broadened, and when their haven came 
in sight, they were in another lake with deeply 
wooded banks. The island reminded them of 


iiG MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

“ Ellen’s Isle,” and Margaret and Mella were 
certain that any wild orgie might have taken place 
there. There was much to do to pitch camp: 
pine boughs must be gathered, and fuel for the 
camp fire. The girls had given Peter full in- 
structions that all work of getting camp ready 
must be theirs. So he gravely set about giving 
them directions. The boughs had to be just such 
a size, and laid in a certain way to make a com- 
fortable bed. Pine needles were gathered and 
strewn over these. Now all was ready for the 
laying of the fire at their feet. The ground 
chosen was a gentle slope so that the wind would 
not blow too coolly upon them, for the August 
nights were almost cold. They had brought blan- 
kets, but no other bedding. They were to sleep 
in genuine campers’ style, lie down and roll up 
before the fire on the sweet pine boughs. 

The Island had been carefully reconnoltered to 
see that no foe lurked upon it. Nor was this a 
difficult task, for it was not a quarter of a mile 
square. The shore was a half-mile distant on 
both sides, and looked, as Margaret imagined, 
like the “ silver strand ” where James Fitz James 
met Ellen. Everything about it was just to the 
taste of these adventure-loving maidens. 

Katy took charge of the dinner, and soon had 


THE MURMURING PINES 117 

a camp meal that any mortal might have been 
satisfied with. Peter had gathered pine boughs 
for seats, and arranged them temptingly against 
trees and logs, near the fire on the bluff, and had 
succeeded in hanging the coffee pot upon an im- 
provised crane over the fire. The sparks from 
the great fire chased each other like canny imps 
into the dark pines, and sparkled out into the gath- 
ering gloom of the lake. Night birds answered 
each other in distant tree tops ; now and then there 
was a rustle in the bushes near by or a splash into 
the water, — all giving enough suspense to spice 
the occasion. A persistent owl very loudly 
hooted; they declared it was from the distant 
shore. Peter gave it a good deal of attention, 
off and on. They told stories, sang songs, and 
were genuinely thrilled by a story of inland ad- 
venture from Mella. 

“ I feel the approach of some uncanny force 
through the wind and air I ” Araminta cried, ris- 
ing and peering witch-like into the darkness. 
Then obeying her beck, they stole to her side and 
began hand-in-hand to circle the fire, repeating 
the witches’ song from ‘‘ Macbeth.” 

At last their spirits subsided and they began to 
settle themselves for the night. 

“ Ouch I Oh I and ‘ this is the forest of Ar- 


ii8 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 


den ! ’ ” from Aramlnta as she struggled to be 
comfortable on her pine-bough bed. Sympathetic 
giggles and groans told of similar struggles. 

“ Did any one speak of the joys of the simple 
life? Cot-beds are simple enough for me here- 
after,” Flossy groaned, just as all had become ac- 
customed to the first pangs of the twigs. 

Soon Polly was seen in the dim light to meander 
toward the fire. “ From the frying pan into the 
fire? ” Katharine queried. 

A sigh was her only answer. Wrapped in her 
blanket, she curled herself up near the fire, re- 
gardless of sparks. Mella soon joined her, but 
seated herself In Indian fashion, resting her head 
upon her hand. Mildred was on her knees pound- 
ing the largest knots down to less acute angles, 
humming softly to herself Captain Flint’s song. 
Katharine, Teddy, and Margaret seemed to be 
the only comfortable persons in the company. 
They had settled for the night. 

Suddenly Katharine sat up, her head upon her 
hand, and listened. Mella had turned her head 
attentively also. “ Teddy,” very softly, “ I hear 
oars!” 

“ Peter says there’s not a camp on this lake, 
and no house for two miles. Yes, you’re right,” 
sitting up. Mella crawled over to them. Mil- 


THE MURMURING PINES 119 

dred was settled quietly, and the rest seemed to 
be asleep. 

“ It’s that owl, Kathreno.” 

“ It’s not an owl, it’s — it’s the same noise Mil- 
dred makes.” Margaret had roused and joined 
the whispering group. 

“ Guess we’d better get down and pretend we’re 
sleeping,” Teddy suggested. 

Soon they heard men’s voices in whispered con- 
versation just below them. Then suddenly, in 
softened tones through that hushed, leafy stillness 
came “ Emmett’s Lullaby,” sung by a chorus of 
trained male voices. The girls were all awake 
now, and drew together in a close group around 
Katharine and Teddy. The first song was fol- 
lowed by others, closing with Tennyson’s beautiful 
lyric, “ Sweet and Low,” in the softest hush-a-by 
tones, accompanied by guitars. Nothing could 
have been more ideal as a closing scene to their 
summer’s outing : the whispering leaves overhead, 
the lapping water at their feet, the great bed of 
dying embers, the spicy pine atmosphere, and the 
nine girls bound together by ties of association 
unlike any other in the world. They knew these 
memories would linger and snuggle into their 
hearts, and keep them big and trustful. 

“ Isn’t it beautiful! ” Ethel whispered. 


120 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

Mella was lost to all. She had partly risen and 
was leaning against Katharine’s knee, her hands 
clasped around her own. “ They are such lovely 
pirates, don’t you think? ” as if talking to herself. 

“ I’m sure they are our rescuers of the other 
night, and we have to thank you for this treat; 
own up now, Topsy.” 

“ Well, if you are so cock sure, Margaret, why 
do you ask me?” Mildred retorted, with one of 
her knowing smiles. 

“ Who cares who’s responsible I This is the 
balm to our hurt frames, or I don’t know any. 
I’m soothed and calmed and feel like repose,” 
Araminta sighed. 

“ There ! That’s the proof,” Margaret ex- 
claimed as upon the still night air broke the old 
pirate song, from far down the lake. The voices 
at last died away, and the girls knew that they 
would be left unmolested to repose. Even the 
twigs seemed less hard, and the music, mingled 
with the moaning of the pines, followed them Into 
their dreams. 


CHAPTER XII 

THE OLD STORY WITH A NEW ENDING 

T HE last meal had been eaten, the dishes washed 
and put away, and the bedding folded and piled 
for Peter to carry up to the big house. Mella 
had taken her last lingering look at the soft rip- 
pling lake In Its setting of trees; good-bys had 
been said. With no sense of anxiety as to Mil- 
dred’s Influence over Mella, the others had seen 
them go away together. Now, Teddy, Katharine, 
and Margaret were northward speeding towards 
friends and loved ones. 

“ Pegsie!” 

“ Bob I ” The others had been greeted by Bob, 
and had started toward the waiting automobile 
before Margaret had given way to her feelings. 
She was with her beloved brother again. 

Bob was in his most bubbling mood. He al- 
most danced Margaret over the ground after the 
two girls. They were so happy to be together. 
“ I know something you can’t guess ! ” 

“ Don’t want to know, you old Bobbie, you ! 


I2I 


122 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 


I Ve enough to think about In having you, so there 1 
It’s better even than camping — ” 

“ No, not than pirates and serenades by stewpan 
fellows. Before I’d be so disrespectable. Miss 
Pegsle.” 

“ Well, he has a voice. Bob,, and lovely eyes, 
so you better watch out.” 

“ Booh 1 I’m panged with jealousy,” pinch- 
ing her arm and almost carrying her along to catch 
up with the girls. 

“ How are the bananas, young ladles? ” 

“ The kind that grow In New Hampshire, Mr. 
Bob, are unsurpassed In my experience for lasting 
flavor — the more of them the merrier.” 

“ Yes, so I understand; even to extending over 
a space of two weeks and trailing up the creek 
from lake to lake. I warn you, you’ve not heard 
the last of bananas; you’ll be trailed.” 

“ I’d like It, — r rather bright, don’t you think — 
the serenade? ” 

“ Well, Miss Bird, it depends on how you de- 
fine the word — as applied to scenery rather dark, 
and to deeds, piratical.” 

You level at my meaning beautifully, Mr. 
Bob ; it’s such a pleasure to be understood.” 
They were at their old sparring. It always went 
on when they met. 


THE OLD STORY 


123 


“ As I told you when you were in K. C. last 
winter, IVe always yearned for it.” He had taken 
his seat with Katharine and they were speeding 
along towards home. This big, stalwart fellow 
with fun-dancing eyes did not look the part of 
“ yearning ” for anything. 

“Oh, Dad I you old darling!” and Margaret 
was in the arms of the large, brown-eyed man, in 
many ways the older pattern of her brother. 

“ My Margaret’s Katharine and her Teddy,” 
and the warm embrace from the little mother 
— little beside her two big boys — for “ boys ” 
they were in their frank, open geniality, — all 
made the girls feel that same welcome they had 
felt on their visit to the Winters’ home during 
the holidays. 

Then, scrambling out of the house like young 
cubs, came Ralph, very mannish in his first trous- 
ers, and Ted just at the age when boys feel their 
hands and feet. Behind them both was Rachel, 
in spindling girlhood, just rounding into woman- 
hood. Harold was out deep-sea fishing for the 
day with Kent, the old sailor. 

“ Almost a junior, my little Madge I and next 
year no home at Christmas. Some of those — ” 

“ Now, Dad, don’t say it. You know you love 
the poor things just as well as I do. Katharine 


124 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

says we’re to give them a Christmas party at her 
settlement club. She was down there, you know, 
some last year, and I’m going to try to help this 
year.” 

“ Well, Katharine, how’s the latest child of your 
adoption? — you see I know your phrases — we 
sometimes hear about things,” looking down 
tenderly on Margaret, cuddled up under his arm. 
They were soon within the great front hall, and 
very much at home. 

The evening passed in merry tales of the sum- 
mer’s experiences, and much talk about Mella. 
Ralph took possession of Katharine’s lap and 
spent much of his time illustrating to her the charm 
of pockets, and showing her where she could 
have them, too, much to Bob’s amusement. 

When all had gone to their rooms. Bob knocked 
softly at his sister’s door, and took his old place 
on the foot of her bed. They talked far toward 
the wee small hours. 

‘‘ Bob, oh. Bob I You don’t mean you really 
are?” 

“ Yes, Pegsie, for fair. I’m going to have my 
dream. Father’s a brick about letting me go — 
wants me to. Think of it, you little trump, to- 
gether, or almost, for a year at college ! Think 
of the drubbing that Fry man will get if he dares 


THE OLD STORY 


125 

call again — of course it’s Mildred who let him 
on to the tricks. Probably at the bottom of the 
banana stunt, too. So you’re going to dabble in 
settlement work — slum it? Don’t do it the way 
most of them do, I’d take hold right. I’ll join 
you and give you some lessons,” — laughing, “ use 
it as a ‘ lab ’ for the social study I’m going to 
take — half the men do it for that purpose ; good 
stunt, too. Gives the poor devils a few frills and 
a fellow a chance to work out his theories. Katha- 
rine’s a senior this year, isn’t she? Doesn’t pall 
on you yet, with her lack of sparkle, eh? I’m 
so full of Harvard, I can’t wait for fall to come. 
The old fellows won’t be there, and I’ll miss them, 
but I’ll bone all the more. Didn’t wear the edges 
of the books much the first year. Think of the 
sprees we’ll have together ! ” 

“ Bob, I don’t believe it yet. I’ve said so many 
times to Katharine and Ethel that if Bob could 
be here I’d ask nothing else to just make things 
perfect, and now it’s come true.” 

“ That’s one thing we’ve not done together, 
Pegsie, pull the sheepskin. Will you be through 
in two years more? My I doesn’t seem a minute 
since you were chasing back the dewdrops ’cause 
you’d got to leave home. That Teddy’s a nice 
girl — thinks Katharine made the pine trees and 


126 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

put the needles on, doesn’t she ? That’s what you 
girls call a crush, isn’t it? ” 

“No, Bob, how ignorant you are I A crush 
is more the way Mildred feels toward Mella.” 

“ Oh, Miss Pegsie, so happy to be enlightened ! 
I’ll soon be wise by association with such pro- 
found volumes of wisdom.” 

“ Now, Bobbie, don’t be foolish. I’ve so many 
serious things to talk over. You never wrote 
fully how you felt about that fraternity stunt. 
Did you like it, or did you not ? I told you every- 
thing that I could remember, and he was so 
gentlemanly, how could I treat him any differ- 
ently? ” 

“ You couldn’t, kid; but if it wasn’t a fraternity 
stunt, he was taking advantage of you, and I’ll 
drub him yet.” 

“ No, you won’t, either. I like him, and I’d 
like to meet him again. You know I’ll never get 
into the habit of letting unknown men call on me. 
You wrote that, and it sounded like your non- 
sense. 

“ No, it wasn’t. He really was a cad to call 
on you under any other condition — that’s sort of 
accepted; specially when they’re good frats. 
You’ll have another call, and I’ll bet anything 
you’ll yet have your chance to turn your Rowland 


THE OLD STORY 


127 

coldly from the tower. Great for clever phrases, 
that Katharine of yours I ” 

“ Bob, I believe you like her. Sometimes IVe 
been afraid you wouldn’t like each other.” Had 
it been lighter Margaret might have seen a color 
on her brother’s face that would have quieted such 
fears. 

“ Yes, — no one could help it — I like all your 
friends I’ve seen so far. Miss Pegsie — had the 
habit a long time. But this won’t do, I’m going 
to bed — here it is twelve o’clock I But we can’t 
have these bedtime talks much more till next sum- 
mer. Somehow, kid, a fellow misses them. 
They’re good steadiers. A fellow couldn’t do 
much that’s off if he knew he was going to say 
good night afterwards to his sister. They aren’t 
all alike, Pegsie. Some don’t care half so much 
for their own brothers as they do for another 
girl’s brother,” rising as he spoke and leaning 
down for a good night kiss. 

** It’s not all on one side, Bobbie,” Margaret 
whispered, holding him off and looking into his 
face, “ the help. Girls miss it who don’t get 
close to their brothers. I’ll never outgrow it.” 

The days of their visit to this closely united 
family circle, had gone by leaps and bounds. 
Now only two were left. Bob had found very 


128 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

few opportunities for stolen moments with Katha- 
rine in his varied duties as host to these friends 
of Margaret’s. This afternoon he had so planned 
it that he could get away with her to this favorite 
spot of his, far up in the narrows of their beautiful 
little lake. They had been drifting for some 
time, neither seeming to have much to say; both 
were under the spell of the place. 

“ Katharine, would you mind leaving off the 
Mister before the Bob? ” 

“ Yes, very much. It reduces your errant 
spirits to a dignified status,” wickedly, still oc- 
cupied with the bunch of lilies she was holding in 
the water. 

Bob plunged his paddle so suddenly into the 
water that he very nearly deluged Katharine. 

“Noah, he did build an ark, — 

And drove the animals in two by two ! ” 


Katharine sang under her breath, trying to avoid 
the shower. Bob laughed in spite of himself. 

“ It states distinctly, in the original account, that 
they went in pairs,” he retorted daringly. 

“ It doesn’t state how they came out. Mrs. 
Noah being coerced into leaving her clubs to go 
with him alone, must have been a very cross 
chaperone.” 


THE OLD STORY 


129 


“ Shall I take you home, now? Have I made 
you feel that way by what IVe said, Katharine? ” 
The tone was so humble that Katharine looked upj 
suddenly into the boyish face before her with one 
of her radiant smiles. Bob had harder work than 
ever to control himself. 

“ No, Bob.” All the playfulness had gone and 
Katharine’s face was very serious. “ But — I 
wonder if I can make you feel what I mean? I 
want it to be just friendship, now. I’ve always 
wanted a big, true man for a friend. It’s such 
a beautiful thing — friendship love. So true, so 
frank, so helpful. I — I love you that way. Bob; 
and I did so want to prove we could have that 
kind.” 

“ Katharine I ” his hand had taken hers. “ We’ll 
begin it now. What I’ve said won’t make any 
difference, will it? I was a cad to spoil it all — 
make you listen when you’re my guest. I — I 
suppose the friendship kind is best — first — to 
get a common interest and trust built up, but — ” 

“ There’s always a ‘ but ’ in the nicest things, 
Bob; don’t let’s have any in ours.” 

For a long time neither spoke. There is a 
tide in friendship’s life that, taken at the flood, 
leads on to higher plains, when each heart looks 
into the other’s altar fire and understands. Bob 


130 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

and Katharine felt that they had reached this 
place. 

Margaret saw something new in both their faces 
as they came up the path together. Bob lingered 
only a moment that night. 

“ Pegsie, Pm glad you love such a girl as Katha- 
rine. Pm a bigger man than I was last night.” 

“ Bobbie, I never knew what friendship meant 
till I knew Katharine. She’s a place for each 
one, and you never feel that the new ones crowd 
into yours. She’s so big and true.” 

Bob knew he did not have to answer. These 
two understood the other’s moods without the 
spoken word. He kissed her tenderly. “ A true 
woman’s something a man has to grow to ; he can’t 
live up to her all at once.” 


CHAPTER XIII 

CAMP ECHOES 


“ The seeds that in a bunch you sowed, 

Now need your smiles to nourish. 

No sylvan glades, nor mist-dark road 
On lakes where pine bows flourish; 

But other scenes, and other wiles we’d wake. 

Where feast of soul and flow of reason, 

Beneath the light of human make. 

Shall all our past deeds season.” 

Seven of the octet were reading this in excited 
chorus. The date, place, and the names of pa- 
tronesses appeared in their correct places with the 
poem. One of the names was that of the wife 
of their dear ‘‘ Puckers,” the English “ A ” pro- 
fessor. 

“ Girls 1 Puckers was a Dartmouth man — our 
sins have found us out! ” Araminta gasped. 

“ Look, these are bananas around the edge I 
Isn’t it all perfectly lovely?” Mella was radiant. 

‘‘ Certainly was the most delicious dessert I 
ever had in that line. We’ve got to live up to it, 
girls. I wouldn’t miss It for all the world,” 
Katharine cried In high glee. 

131 


132 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

‘‘Now what’s to wear, that’s the question? 
Oh ! Yellow’d be the thing, with — ” 

“ Oh, no, Polly, ‘ we must look like the innocent 
flower, but be the serpent under it.’ It won’t do 
to be so open about it.” 

“ Sound you are, Araminta. Now we mustn’t 
let Mildred guess that we suspect her. She’s 
played a mighty foxy game, just the same, but 
this climax will surely force her hand. The Fry 
man will be there,” Katharine commented. 

“ Of course, Rowland will be there, and Baby 
Stuart, you’ve got to take the cue from where you 
left off when he called, don’t you think? ” 

“ I don’t mind.” 

“ Bob approved? ” Polly asked archly. 

“ Not exactly, but there’s no law laid down 
about it — ' I’ll have to carry it out.” 

“ How are we to be sure that our cue’s not to 
notice the bananas? Don’t you think we’ll be 
forced to sometime before the evening’s over — 
it would be very bright not to, though. Do you 
think it’s like the rest of their fun to let us off 
that way?” Ethel asked. 

“Yes, I do. They take it for granted we know 
if we accept. What shall we reply?” Flossy 
asked. 


CAMP ECHOES 


133 

“ In blank verse, of course, signed, ‘ The 
Sowers.’ ” 

“ Oh, Puck, great ! Let’s about it while our 
fire’s up. It’s Hallowe’en night,” glancing again 
at the note. “ This is October first. Doth the 
fine frenzy seize thee, my Puck? ” 

“ Write, Araminta, write ! ‘ Though sylvan 

glades ’ — you know we must reply in the language 
of the invitation as far as possible — ” 

“Yes, ‘ Though sylvan glades ’ — ” 

“‘And mist-dark lake—’” 

“ Good, more excellent good, continue and go 
on. I poise my pen to listen.” 

“Invite us not this Hallowe’en; 

Though pirates dire our hosts should be,, 

We’ll hie us thither at your beck. 

For deeds not names, lest we forget 
That fog-black night! Astray were we. 

You rescuers came and led us out. 

So in the mystic orgies of that feast, 

We’ll meet to lay aside the mask. 

— The Sowers.” 

“Oh, Puck, Puck! that’s marvelous!” With 
a word from this one and phrase from that it had 
been composed; then was carefully addressed. 

“ I’m consumed to know what it will be like. 
To think of waiting thirty-one days ! ” Araminta 
sighed. 


134 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

“ Now, girls, honest Injun, by the sincerity I 
bear toward my reformed career, I swear IVe had 
not one thing to do with this whole thing,” Mil- 
dred declared when she had read the invitation, a 
few moments later. “ You’ve thought so from 
the first. I knew nothing of that affair at the 
lake, nothing of Margaret’s caller. That’s 
straight goods,” laughing. “ I’d keep it up to the 
ding of doom, but I’m not going to this last act 
of our comedy under false colors.” 

“ Mildred, I axes your pardon.” 

“ ’TIs granted, old rival; but don’t always bite 
so easily. Baby Stuart. The subject didn’t even 
come up between Ned and me on that cruise — 
what he told Mella, I don’t know — I was so cut 
out.” 

“ Why, Mildred, you know it was to be nice to 
me — I don’t understand him nor he me. I liked 
your father heaps more. He was so apprecia- 
tive.” 

The girls laughed indulgently at this sly little 
confession. They never could safely predict 
Mella’s next move. 

“ As long’s the dean’s name is among the pa- 
trons you have my consent, Pegsie, to the scheme. 
There’s something coming your way you’re not 
ready for. I like Mildred’s stroke. There’s 


CAMP ECHOES 


135 

more to her than her feints would have us believe.” 
Bob had run over for one of his frequent calls. 
In fact, the octet had already adopted him. 
The first Saturday night after their return to 
college, for old time’s sake, he had taken them 
all to the theater as he had done that first 
Christmas. 

“ If we continue on intimate terms with Baby 
Stuart, we shall have to adopt him — to say 
nothing of other recent alliances,” Araminta had 
decided, glancing significantly at Katharine. The 
frequent calls had not been wholly conferred upon 
Margaret and Katharine, although that ardent dev- 
otee had no cause for pangs at neglect. Ethel 
had been taken up the Charles several times that 
fall, and Mella had been canoeing twice up among 
the pretty isles of that charmed river. ’Tis true, 
the favorite spot had been reserved for Katharine. 
The times this pair were out were few, and those 
often when no one knew of their going. 

When Hallowe’en night arrived, to their sur- 
prise taxis were at the door for their use when the 
girls sallied forth to visit their piratical hosts; 
Miss Deering was waiting in one of the cabs. 
Not one of these guests but was on tiptoe with 
excitement, eyes dancing, and cheeks flushed. 

‘‘ It’s so romantic, I’m thrilled to the bone ! 


136 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

The drama Is about to climax,” mingled with 
nervous giggles, were heard from one and another, 
as they took off their wraps in the hotel. What 
were they to do next? 

Presently a page came forward and spoke to 
one of the patronesses, then politely waited for 
them to follow. Miss Deering with the two 
patronesses led the way. 

“ I can’t get there If It’s a long journey, Katha- 
rine. I’ve got to know my fate soon I ” Margaret 
gasped. 

“So’ve II” Mildred echoed. 

“ I rather like It to stay this way; it may spoil 
It to have it cleared up,” Mella declared. 

They had reached the elevator. A long walk 
on the next floor brought them to one of the 
private dining-rooms of the hotel. On each side 
of the doors stood pages in yellow, wearing caps 
like the blossom-end of the banana bunch. Mil- 
dred giggled. Katharine, Araminta, and Polly 
turned on her direful warnings. Then the doors 
opened. 

Just within stood “ Puckers,” in evening dress, 
save for a broad yellow tie, tipped with green. 
He bowed low, and offering his arm to Miss Deer- 
ing, escorted her forward to a large canopied 
booth. The cover was the clever counterfeit of 


CAMP ECHOES 


137 

a banana skin. He presented her to eight young 
gentlemen, each with yellow, green-tipped ties. 
In addition to this significant article of toilet they 
each supported a skull and crossbones. Captain 
Flint’s old insignia, stuck conspicuously into the 
shirt front. 

As Margaret reached the booth and faced this 
gallant octet, she at first could distinguish no 
familiar face. Very soon, however, she found 
herself gazing into the roguish eyes of Carl Fry. 
Why had she persisted in falling in with the girls 
and permitting herself to call him Mr. Stewpan? 
What she greatly feared she would do, she did; 
she began “ Mr. Stew — ” stopped short, then 
laughed. Last on the line was Ned Baxter. 
How he was enjoying the fun could be told by 
his broad smile as he took her hand. 

“ You brought your night keys this time, Miss 
Winters?” He could not help this allusion to 
their predicament two years before, when she and 
Mildred had taken the law into their hands, dined 
with the two men at the Wayside Inn, and gone to 
the theater in the evening to see Miss Marlowe. 
This put Margaret at her ease, and she lingered 
a moment to chat of old times, with this pleasant 
friend of freshman days. She found herself a 
bit disappointed that her escort of that night was 


138 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

not present, and learned that he was abroad study- 
ing. Then Mildred came up. 

“Miss Winters, great luck to meet again! 
Hardly expected that business so pressing would 
call me here again this year. What a lucky chap 
that brother of yours is — back in Harvard, you 
in Ainsley. Don’t know’s I’d dare repeat the call 
with him so near? Or do you paddle your own 
affairs? Should think one of such athletic pro- 
ficiency might. Dainty bit, that latest addition 
to your circle.” 

His eye wandered towards Mella, who was her 
most radiant self, in a lavender gown of inde- 
scribable make. It seemed a part of her. Not 
a tinge of self-consciousness was in her wonderful 
eyes as she drank in the soft coloring about her. 
Every potted plant and clump of flowers fitted in 
so perfectly with everything else. All the green 
effects were foliage, saving the gentlemen’s tie- 
tips. 

When they started for the dining-room, “ Puck- 
ers ” and Miss Deering were together, one Dart- 
mouth fellow leading with Mrs. “ Puckers.” The 
lights on the table were all shaded with yellow 
crepe bananas. The color effect of the entire 
table was yellow. 

At every plate a napkin was tucked into a paper 


CAMP ECHOES 


139 

banana skin. The menu cards were clever imita- 
tions of skins flattened out. Nor was a dish 
served that did not taste of banana. The crown- 
ing dish was whipped bananas and ice cream. 

Through the entire meal, with all the merri- 
ment, there was not a sign from the young ladles 
that they saw the point of the affair. The sere- 
nade was freely commented upon, the funny epi- 
sodes of their first night In the open, and the night 
in the fog, but how their hosts knew of their pres- 
ence, how they discovered their night retreat, 
not a word was asked or given. There were 
close parries at that which was always present in 
the thought, but the mask was not lowered. 

Dancing closed this happy night’s lark. Many 
were those who sought out Mella for a dance. 
Yet she was so simple, so unaffected through it all. 

The good night waltz was In the tune of “ Auld 
Lang Syne,” In bewitching time. ‘‘ Oh, but I’d 
like to waltz out of this world Into the next I ” 
Margaret exclaimed as she and her Rowland bent 
to the rhythm of the strains. 

“ I’m willing; how about Bob? ” 

“ Oh, he likes waltzing just as well.” 

“ Well, meantime, while you sojourn here, may 
I come again — some night not sacred to a meet- 
ing?” 


140 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

“ rd like to have you; Friday night is best, I 
think, ril try not to keep you waiting again. 
You can come without signal this time? ” 

“ You guessed right; but I’m eternally grateful 
to you for helping me out. I’d like to pay my 
debt.” 

“It’s already canceled; we’ve greatly enjoyed 
your treat. Did some of the gentlemen have 
sore eyes this summer?” 

“Sore eyes? Oh I ” laughing heartily*. “You 
refer to the darkened camp? We were not there 
for any night.” 

“ Except one I ” 

“ No, we went back — honest — two miles up 
to Ned’s cousins; four of us were staying there. 
Just by chance we stumbled on you while we were 
fishing near your island. Were you surprised? ” 

“ Well, just a little; but your pirates’ song told 
us the story. We really had guessed it before. 
It just completed that perfectly ideal evening.” 
Margaret’s honest enthusiasm was irresistible. 

“ I thought so, too. Your dance was interest- 
ing. Have them often? ” 

The waltz was over, and soon, the secret out, 
the hosts and guests parted. 

“ It’s just as exciting as a trip to Hades with 


CAMP ECHOES 141 

the Sophs I ” Mildred exclaimed, leaning back in 
the cab. 

“How’s Rowland?” Katharine asked. 

“ Well, I think we’re all cut out by the Prin- 
cess.” 

“ How you talk, Margaret ! I did have a beau- 
tiful time — just dreams all the time, drifting 
about in those soft lights. I like Mr. Baxter and 
Mr. Fry best. They’re so easy to dance with. 
Mr. Fry’s been on my island.” 

“ I scent a romance I ” 

“ What, you awake, Araminta ? ” 

“ Yes, when anybody threatens to run off with 
the Princess.” 

Could anything have been happier than this 
sequel to their summer’s outing I 


CHAPTER XIV. 

IN THE LABORATORY 

“ If you need me to collar him, you just let 
me know, Katharine,” looking wickedly into her 
eyes. Bob was standing In a low-studded room, in 
a West End settlement. 

‘‘ I will if I have to, but that would be defeat, 
just the same, for me. No, IVe got to win him 
in some way.” 

“ Well, of course, you know. Miss Katharine,” 
Bob always put the “ Miss ” on when he was 
hiding his amusement, “ the elements you are 
dealing with are those that make the mob — the 
restless, uncurbed street-product, as uncertain as 
the dust that misses the city-fathers’ dustpans, and 
that greets our eyes at every step in these sub- 
merged quarters.” 

“ That course in sociology is doing wonders for 
you; I feel so much more wise to my problems,” 
Katharine flashed back, looking straight Into those 
brown eyes, which always drew hers in. 

“ You must get next to them and use the argu- 
ments which they understand, or you can’t lift 
142 


IK THE LABORATORY i4 

them to your point of view — ^your own philos- 
ophy applied, Miss Katharine. A little force is 
what they best understand; that’s a good starter 
towards it,” Bob continued as if not noticing 
her retort 

‘‘ Katharine,” Margaret called from the little 
room back of the narrow hall, “ how do you want 
these chairs arranged, class-wise or table-wise?” 

Katharine hastened to her. “ I’m going to 
read to them this afternoon. I’ve a very en- 
thralling tale, and I’m going to see if I can’t teach 
them repose.” 

“ Humph I When you do, just tell me how you 
did it. Even the infants act like young hyenas. 
Bob says give them something to do. It isn’t 
reasonable,” pulling the table into the middle of 
the room, ‘‘ to expect anything of the kind.” 

“Yes? He’s a very wise man. But the ob- 
ject of this club as I understand the headworker, 
is to take this very street element and give it quiet 
and repose on Saturday afternoon.” 

“I’m only a little ostrich, 

I’ve never been to college, 

But I can discount any knowledge. 

For I know it all 1 ” 

came jovially from the other room, broken by 
snatches of the whistled air. Bob was sorting 


144 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

the books for the different rooms. Katharine 
smiled. 

Margaret, Ethel, and Katharine with the help 
of Bob and a Harvard law student, Warren Mo- 
llneux, had been now for two months carrying on 
a reading club In a West End settlement house, 
Saturday afternoons. The club was made up 
largely of Polish Jews of the poorest class. The 
work had been taxing at times, and the other girls 
often protested that the three might once In a 
while cut a Saturday. Mella had been down; 
Araminta had given the club some readings; Mil- 
dred had danced for them, and was now giving 
dancing lessons every other week to the mothers. 
Polly, even, had taken a hand, teaching the older 
girls fine needlework. Altogether the club was 
flourishing; certainly Bob and Katharine were wor- 
shiped, Margaret taken as a good comrade, 
Ethel adored by her babies, but Mella seemed 
strangely to understand them, and often found 
herself using their expressions. Yet there was 
always a troubled, puzzled look upon her face 
when she was not occupied with them. For days 
afterwards she would be so abstracted and in 
such Incomprehensible moods, that finally the oc- 
tet objected to her going down; despite this pro- 
test, however, she went again and again, always 


IN THE LABORATORY 


145 

with the same result. To Katharine’s cautious 
queries she answered, “ It’s not to know, Kathreno. 
It’s like the lake, the remembrances come, almost 
I catch them — but I must know. It’s all so 
like something — > I’ve felt what they feel — some- 
time.” 

To the children, these youthful helpers were 
“ teachers ” — this was the only fittable handle 
for such services to them. Katharine had ob- 
jected, and had in vain tried to make them speak 
of them as friends and think of them as such, to 
Bob’s great amusement; knowing as he did, that 
to no experience in the scrambling lives of these 
waifs did that word appeal; whereas “teacher” 
was the synonym for rides, excursions to the park, 
pretties ; clean hands and faces being the only dis- 
agreeable passport to these few bright spots in 
their lives. These eager philanthropists could 
not know this. Considering the gulf between their 
points of view, it was remarkable how their de- 
sire to give them of their good leaped the chasm 
and reached the hearts of these human atoms. 

One-thirty had come ; no bell was needed to an- 
nounce it. The dirty, narrow street, lined with 
dingy old houses, had been swarming with patched, 
smelly boys and girls for an hour. Some were 
holding the toddlers, closely protecting the little 


146 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

brother or sister at their sides. They came jost- 
ling up the stairs, awed into a semblance of filing 
by the big fellow at the door, who had been known 
to pick a few of the bullies out by the coat collar, 
a good-natured twinkle in his eyes, and hold them 
passive by his side, — the smile being the only 
part of the treatment not comprehensible to the 
urchin’s alert mind. Yet “ Mr. Bob ” — they 
had heard the girls call him that — was the only 
male star to which each determined to hitch 
his wagon; for it had been whispered about by 
Sammy Ivanovich that Bob was once a football 
captain. As that oracle was never disputed, no 
disconcerting evidence to contradict this tale ever 
struggled into their minds. 

A lord in his own domain yields not readily to 
a higher, and Sammy had so far been moved not 
at all — certainly not by “ the skirts,” not he I 
His clan were corralled, with much suspicion, in 
Katharine’s domain. She had baited him by sto- 
ries generously edited by her vivid imagination, 
getting him to condescend to look over her shoul- 
der, at a safe distance, at the pictures she had 
brought of Washington, Lincoln and other celeb- 
rities dear to those alien minds. Yet no club day 
passed without scenes of sudden riot; mysteriously 
chairs went out from under too zealous leaners 


IN THE LABORATORY 


147 


over open books ; shot went down backs, and then 
only the most heroic lectures could calm the riot- 
ers — > it had even once been necessary to call in 
the football hero. 

To-day the look in Sammy’s eye was threaten- 
ing — something had gone wrong in his world. 
Ominous hints, under the protection of Katha- 
rine’s arm, were thrown out about “ a battle with 
the cop nor had she any reason to doubt that 
this might be the truth. Sammy had a bad record. 
There had been a crash this afternoon at the first 
departure of Katharine into the next room for 
books. Little Jacob was weeping from a hit in 
the eye when she returned. Katharine’s theories 
were being sadly tested. The next outbreak was 
open anarchy in which books were nearly de- 
stroyed over a disputed statement about Washing- 
ton. Plainly it was time to meet Sammy on his 
own level. Katharine’s ire was up. 

“ Sammy, you leave this club if you touch 
another boy here. Sit down; I’ll give you two 
minutes to decide.” No result followed. While 
Sammy hesitated, the watch in Katharine’s 
hand was ticking off the minutes; silence profound 
everywhere. Sammy leered, stuck his tongue in 
his cheek, and “thumbed her”; still Katharine 
contained herself. 


148 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 


Just at this psychological moment Margaret en- 
tered. Sammy felt he was bayed. “ Get ’em all 
in — I ain’t afeard o’ ’em I” One unfortunate 
urchin grinned. Katharine could never tell just 
how it happened, the onset was so sudden. She 
and Margaret only knew that they found them- 
selves rescuing the fragments of the smaller boys; 
Katharine, much beaten about, had Sammy by his 
collar, and was struggling to save the nose of 
the battered unfortunate who had precipitated the 
fight. It was a hard tussle, but Bob reached the 
scene of battle in time to see Katharine dragging 
down the stairs a red-faced, fighting boy using lan- 
guage not fit for publication. There was a 
frightened, awed group at the top of the stairs, 
with no sense of friendly sympathy, but dog-like 
as their instincts were, glad to see their bully “ git- 
ting it.” 

The door finally slammed on the besieger, be- 
fore her rescuer reached her side, and it was no- 
ticeable that the kicks stopped very suddenly when 
Bob reached the scene. Hurrying feet scampered 
over the brick-paved alleyway from the rear door 
— Sammy was conquered. 

“ Now I hope. Bob, you’re satisfied with your 
training; I’ve certainly descended,” Katharine ex- 
claimed, but there were tears in her eyes, and Bob 


IN THE LABORATORY 


149 


had a hard battle to keep from showing her how 
he was affected by the victory. He had no time 
for demonstration, however; Katharine had hur- 
ried her cowed supporters Into the room above 
and shut the door before he could get out a word. 

While the four were waiting for a car to take 
them from this troublous little world, that night, 
a potato just missed Katharine’s ear. Bob turned 
quickly enough to see Sammy’s face peering around 
the corner of a low building. The hot blood 
mounted to Bob’s face, “ There, that’s just far 
enough.” 

“ Bob, please, not for me I I couldn’t have 
you,” placing a detaining hand on his arm. 

“ If ever an Imp was aching for a thrashing, he 
is — I must I ” 

“ No, Bob, I know I’m right. Please don’t.” 

Bob surrendered, but It was the hardest thing 
that he had ever done. All the afternoon he had 
longed to take it out of Sammy for those bruises 
on Katharine’s arm. It was almost too much; 
even the hand resting confidingly upon his arm 
for some seconds, did not make up for the feeling. 

Peace reigned for three Saturdays. The boys, 
at the expense of black eyes and sore noses, had 
run the gauntlet of Sammy’s threats and attended; 
but Katharine was not satisfied. It was, according 


150 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

to her ideals, an expensive victory. Many and 
long had been the conferences of the workers. 
For just such as he the club had been formed. 

Warren Molineux had been a fairly quiet mem- 
ber of the club workers. He seemed, however, in 
their conferences to fall in with Katharine’s ideals 
more than did Bob. Margaret had noticed this, 
and ever alert for her beloved brother’s interests, 
had sided with Bob’s theories when the subjects 
were under discussion in their room, Katharine in- 
variably taking Molineux’s side. Ethel, anxious 
for both, saw clearly Margaret’s mistake, although 
secretly agreeing with Bob’s more practical ideas. 
From the first she had disliked Molineux’s eyes. 
“ They’re not honest,” had been her verdict. 

This divided opinion seemed to come to a cli- 
max over Sammy’s return. Bob was insistent that 
Sammy should be made to apologize to Katharine 
for his conduct; Molineux had smilingly sided 
with Katharine against any such pressure. “ I 
think we all care as much for Miss Bird’s dignity 
as you, Mr. Winters, but we are not down here to 
think of personal slights, but of the good of the in- 
dividuals we are helping.” 

Ethel watched the narrowing eyes and wondered 
how Katharine could be impressed by his remarks. 
Bob shrugged his shoulders and said nonchalantly. 


IN THE LABORATORY 


151 

“ If the Captain’s satisfied, I ought to be.” Kath- 
arine’s face flushed — Bob was making fun of her. 
He had never, she felt, been in sympathy with her 
methods. The twinkle in Bob’s eyes often hurt 
her. 

Mr. Mollneux, I want Sammy back. You 
know the people of this ward better than Mr. 
Winters; will you undertake to bring him back 
safely?” So It was decided. 

There was a good-natured, indulgent smile in 
Bob’s eyes at Mollneux’s Ill-concealed triumph. 
That night so long was the business conference 
between Katharine and her supporter that Ware 
Hall was reached before It ended. Bob, gay as 
a peacock, had taken Ethel’s bag and sauntered off, 
leaving the two to follow. 

The result was the return of Sammy, sullen but 
bound over to keep the peace. He kept, however, 
a very watchful eye on the athlete. His keen 
observation had noted Bob’s attentions to Katha- 
rine, and he judged that an attack upon “ his girl ” 
meant war for the offender. To both Katharine 
and Bob, Sammy made it clear that it was a case 
of armed neutrality, not peace. His return had 
been felt by all, and while there were no open out- 
breaks directly traceable to Sammy, yet there was 
an atmosphere of unrest. The workers felt that 


152 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

they were treading on a volcano. Bob had car- 
ried himself In his jolly, nonchalant way, always 
pleasant with all; but Katharine felt that his merry 
twinkle was a “ Now I told you so.” Mollneux 
had even dared to insinuate that the children were 
feeling Mr. Winter’s attitude towards their plan. 
Between Margaret and Katharine no difference 
was expressed, yet each felt the strained relations. 
That Bob no longer called as often upon Katha- 
rine all had noticed. 

“ No, I can’t say anything. Bob does not sym- 
pathize with all Katharine’s ideas, and Katharine 
misunderstands It. Sammy’s Influence Is bad, but 
If Bob says so, Mollneux will make Katharine be- 
lieve Bob’s jealous. If I say a word, of course, 
it would look as if I were crawling for my brother, 
and he doesn’t need to crawl to any girl living!” 
Margaret declared to Ethel one night, with a toss 
of her head. 

“ No, Margaret, you keep out. It will work 
out all right. Katharine is not a fool. She does 
not care for Warren Mollneux, but she misunder- 
stands Bob. You just wait.” Nor had she long 
to wait. 

On Saturday night Bob came after the children 
had gone. He had with him an ardent promoter 
of the school-city, a classmate of his, who offered 


IN THE LABORATORY 


153 

to organize the club of ninety boys and girls Into 
a club-city. Each of the four rooms was to be a 
ward; the city council to be made up of two aider- 
men from each; the mayor, judge and city clerk 
to be elected by all. The plan was enthusiastically 
adopted by all except Molineux. Katharine at 
once saw Its good points. It was an eventful day 
for the club, that afternoon when the helpers or- 
ganized that restless little crowd of future citizens 
of the republic Into a club-city, drew up a charter 
very simply, and article by article went over It 
with them. 

The primary followed in true democratic fash- 
ion. When the children fully realized that they 
were to select their own officers, their tongues 
were loosed. It was a difficult task to guide that 
rocking ship of state, but by patience and good- 
humored tact Bob and his colleague accomplished 
It. The timid were encouraged to take part, the 
rampant office seekers restrained, until finally the 
officers were all nominated. The election was set 
for the following Saturday. 

During this memorable meeting Sammy had 
taken a seat somewhat apart — still the tragedy 
hero. Katharine, apparently Ignoring his exist- 
ence, took a seat near him. She had with her a 
book of illustrated scenes from the life of the 


154 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

great animal trainer, Bostock. Casually turning 
the pages, she lingered over the pictures. She no- 
ticed that Sammy was curving his neck to see them, 
without facing her way. Katharine opened the 
book wider, and turned over the leaves to a scene 
of strife In a cage with a lioness. Sammy lost 
his balance in his attempt at nonchalance and 
leaned against her. The next few pages revealed 
an even more exciting scene, and brought so nearly 
a surrender that Katharine cautiously pushed the 
book nearer. 

“ Is they another? ” More leaves were turned. 

“ Yes, look at him — most caught that time! ” 

“ Is’t true?” 

“ Yes, IVe seen him do it.” 

“ Kin I take ’Im?” 

“Yes, — would you like to take it home and 
read it?” 

“ ’M — em I ” The book changed hands. 
“D’e do that?” 

“ Yes, I saw him.” 

“Taln’t done now?” 

“ Yes; it will be here next week. Would you 
like to go ? ” 

Sammy looked for the first tiine in amazed sur- 
prise into Katharine’s face. How could she be 
so ignorant of his tastes! 


IN THE LABORATORY 


155 


“ Here’s your ticket! ” The magic passport to 
this world of wonder was in his hands. “ You 
go, and tell us about It at the club meeting Satur- 
day.” The ticket promptly disappeared in the 
depths of a greasy pocket, wrapped In a dirty 
paper with other valuables. 

Noticing the other children signing the paper 
Bob held before him, Sammy asked, “ C’n I 
sign?” 

“ Come on, let’s do it together,” Katharine re- 
plied. 

So victor and vanquished went up together. 
An appreciative glance told Bob the situation, and 
diplomatic relations were renewed. 

The election passed off with few disturbances. 
To count the vote, the election inspectors re- 
mained late. Sammy had departed showing very 
little interest in the outcome. 

The first meeting of the city council brought 
about the ratification of the commissioners ap- 
pointed by the new mayor. It was a stormy one ; 
Sammy’s name was proposed as chief of police. 
A bare majority could be Inveigled into giving him 
the election. It was also voted to Include within 
the city precincts the wards In which they lived 
outside the club, the street commissioners to co- 
operate to keep the streets clean. Cigarette smok- 


156 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

Ing was voted a misdemeanor among boys under 
sixteen. 

As for Sammy, when he was told of his appoint- 
ment, he turned as white as he could under the 
layers of dirt, and slowly without a word turned 
away. Katharine felt that he had taken it as 
irony; but Bob felt otherwise. The next Satur- 
day, sure enough, there was Sammy, scrubbed to 
the edge of his high celluloid collar; hands clean 
to the wristbands. His face was tense and pale 
with the load of responsibility. All through the 
two hours he tiptoed about to see that the citizens 
of every ward were obeying the laws, now posted 
in each room. When faces and hands were found 
dirty, health officers were notified. So comical 
was the situation that Bob, Margaret, and Ethel 
were obliged several times to retreat to get con- 
trol of themselves. Katharine alone kept her dig- 
nity. 

That seemed to be the end of the problem with 
Sammy. As to his devotion to Katharine, many 
a Saturday did the designing young rascal get her 
bag ahead of Molineux or Bob and very cunningly 
lure her into walking over the bridge with him, 
to tell her some of his troubles. Bob laughingly 
declared he saw triumph in his eyes each time he 
sailed off in this manner with his idol. Even the 
city officers had to admit Sammy’s improved status. 


CHAPTER XV. 

PLOTS AND COUNTERPLOTS 

“ Where’s Mella? Isn’t she going to help us 
plan out this wardrobe? She’s always so good 
at fixings,” Margaret asked, settling herself with 
a resigned air before a heap of variegated calico. 
Picking up a strip that might have been the half 
of a clown’s suit or a pair of pajamas, she tried it 
on Ethel. “ I meant to have taken Sammy’s 
height; but he’s about your size, don’t you think 
so?” 

“ Depends on just how you mean, — in his own 
opinion or bodily proportions?” Katharine re- 
plied, busily cutting out a blouse of dun colored 
cambric. 

‘‘ How on earth did they ever wear these detest- 
able things ? It’s no wonder they bowed as if they 
had the stomach ache,” Polly spluttered, gather- 
ing the cloth nimbly as she talked. “ This makes 
the tenth ruff.” 

“ Thing is, girls, how are we to manage about 
the high boots for the boys? We must have 
them, for their educational value ; it’s best to make 
152 


158 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

things appear just as they were in Billy’s time. 
Not in an age will these benighted ones have such 
an opportunity for enlightenment. Have you 
any idea, Puck, of the measurements of Mr. Mo- 
lineux’s boot space?” Margaret and Mildred 
giggled at the arch expression of Araminta’s ques- 
tion. Katharine appeared not to hear it. Rela- 
tions had become somewhat less strained between 
Bob and Katharine of late, but Molineux had 
been very ardent, and many of his suggestions 
were disturbing the harmonious working out of 
the new scheme. 

“ Well, there’s one thing certain sure, that when 
this dramatic effort is off my hands nothing will 
inveigle me into trying another ! I’m getting too 
aged. Here we are taking all our spare time — ” 

“Spare time?” came from several of the 
girls. 

“ Your tasks are heavenly cinches to mine. 
Wish you could see those dear souls do those folk- 
dances. Honestly, if they weren’t so patient in 
trying I should long ago have given up. They 
are so funny. I had seven violent coughing spells 
last Saturday and had to retire to recover — but 
they really are improving,” Mildred exclaimed. 

“ I don’t see but you are surviving, children. I 
know it’s good for you to sacrifice yourselves this 


PLOTS AND COUNTERPLOTS 


159 


time to the cause. Here Topsy, try on these 
bloomers,” Katharine demanded. 

Mildred obeyed with exaggerated meekness. 
“ These are to grace Ikey and Jawcob? ” donning 
the articles. They were for the suits of Petru- 
chio, 

“ Sammy will make an adorable Grumio — 
he’s really a tragedian; but that’s the best kind of 
comedy stuff, so he’ll do,” Araminta commented. 

“ Dress rehearsal Saturday night, Christmas 
only a week off. It’s absolutely unheard of, this 
giving up my vacation to charity. Puck, no one 
but you could have made me. Poor Dad is 
mourning over it now. But since I’ve reformed, 
no one knows me. How do you suppose I can 
keep up the moral role when your bolstering In- 
fluence is withdrawn. Princess, my angel?” stop- 
ping in the midst of her swaggers, as that young 
lady entered with unusually bright eyes and height- 
ened color, “ even in — Oh, Puck, what is this 
stuff ? — in fustian I kneel to thee I Do not scorn 
me 1 ” endeavoring to clasp Mella in her arms, as 
she knelt before her. 

“ No, never to any but my Romeo , escaping 
to Katharine’s outstretched arms. 

“ What has that foreign man been saying to 
my Juliet? ” in a half whisper. 


i6o MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

‘‘ That’s not to tell — now,” the last for only 
Katharine’s ear. 

“ Mella, we’ve got to look into this. That’s 
five calls since October, from Prof. Metronani. 
Far too many; pray explain thyself,” slipping a 
buff coat sleeve on to Mella’s arm as she spoke. 

Mella laughed softly to herself, and cuddled 
up beside Polly on the window seat, and began to 
try on the ruffs. 

‘‘ I wish I had a locket with a legend,” Polly 
sighed. “ It’s so nice to have the little Prof call 
— such eyes I ” 

“ Seems to me the octet’s done nothing but 
‘ fuss ’ the whole year. I’m the only old maid in 
the crowd.” 

“Why, Flossy I I’ve been perfectly steady 1” 

“ Well, you’ve done a good stunt at playing sis- 
ter then. I s’pose since the advent of the lawyer 
we’ve all got to support Bob’s drooping spirits,” 
Mildred retorted, looking at Margaret, and then 
at Katharine. “ I must say that some people have 
poor taste in eyes. Ned says Warren, dear, is 
doing the boss act in the ward — understudy to 
Kelly there.” 

“Well, I think that Ned might be in better 
business,” Katharine retorted. 



AND READ IT?” 




PLOTS AND COUNTERPLOTS i6i 


‘‘ Neddie, my lad, you made a blunder,” Mil- 
dred humbly apostrophized. 

‘‘ Seems to me. Puck, my dear, that you bite 
rather quickly on that hook these days,” Araminta 
commented. 

Katharine made no reply, as she picked up the 
blouse Mildred had tossed to her. Margaret 
was whistling softly to herself; Ethel looked 
troubled. Strained moments were not unknown 
this year in this otherwise harmonious group of 
friends. Some of the girls could not resist these 
flings; it was such a novelty to see their usually 
serene, unruffled Katharine flustered, often pep- 
pery upon this subject. Reticent as Katharine al- 
ways was about her affairs, unchanged as the out- 
ward manner of Margaret and Katharine had been 
towards each other, yet they all felt the enforced 
ceremony that always comes with changed rela- 
tions between friends. The meetings of the clan 
had been less frequent, and the often preoccupied 
quiet of Katharine’s manner damped these. This 
was the first time since Thanksgiving that they had 
all been together in the old way and this bid fair 
to be inharmonious. 

“ I think that we are getting crabbed with old 
age, girls; I feel senior dignity in all my joints,” 


1 62 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 


Araminta drawled, striving to relieve the pressure 
of the atmosphere. 

“ Girls, we’ve a lot to plan for that play,” Ethel 
suggested timidly. “ Ned, Rowland, Bob, and 
Mr. Molineux are going to sing between the acts 
In costume, and I was wondering whether the folk- 
dances couldn’t come in at the close, right around 
a real tree? ” 

“ Oh, lovely, Cinderella I It will give the poor 
things something to look at, and they won’t feel 
so awkward.” 

“ That’s what I thought, Mildred, and you 
^inow those parents have such a little show here 
In this new country; the children learn our ways 
so quickly, and this will give them a chance to 
come forward. It’ll be such a lesson to their chil- 
dren. They’re so proud to think they can take 
part.” 

“ Cinderella’s in her element, girls — she’s re- 
forming.” 

“ They really do finely, Topsy. I saw them 
last week when they rehearsed so well that you 
clapped them — their dear, burdened lives, think 
what this bright spot means ! ” 

“ Cinderella, you should have been born In the 
days of martyrs. Can’t you see her beaming at 


PLOTS AND COUNTERPLOTS 163 

the stake?” Katharine flashed in her old genial 
way, which somewhat revived the group. 

“ Now try on my ruffs. How big’s Bob’s neck, 
Baby Stuart? He’s got to be measured — I’ll 
choke the others to his size,” Polly declared 
fiercely. Soon all were dutifully choking in ruffs. 

A collar of Bob’s was found in Margaret’s bu- 
reau drawer, left over from a hall masquerade, 
and the puckering strings were changed to fit. 

“ One more week of slave driving, then I sup- 
pose we may retire to private life and attend inci- 
dentally to college duties. I knew that when Puck 
began this strenuous career we’d all be gathered 
into the sweep of her philanthropic skirts,” Ara- 
minta sighed, tossing a finished jerkin to the couch. 

“ Social work’s all right, but college girls have 
too much else to attend to,” Flossy declared posi- 
tively. 

“ Oh, but Flossy, think what we’ve learned that 
we can’t get in books.” 

** Yes, Cinderella, mine’s nearly all out of 
books,” Mildred corrected. 

“ I’ve got far more out of this than out of Prof. 
Carter’s lectures. It’s dirty ^ and horrid and 
smelly and all that,” Margaret’s tip-tilted nose 
showing a trifle higher angle, “ but you have to 


i 64 MARGARET. AS A SOPHOMORE 

see behind that — I have at least I honestlyj 
do love the dirty little imps.” 

“ I wish you could have seen Baby Stuart that 
first day, girls ! Now I doubt if she even thinks of 
it” 

“ Oh, yes, I do, lots of days ; but they are human 
to me now — I never felt that side before.” 

“ You dear missionary spirits, Fm perfectly 
willing you should enjoy the aroma of that region 
unmolested. Fll make ruffs for them, but don’t 
ask me to love them or go down there and dance 
with them any more,” Polly commented. 

“ Kathreno, I think that we’ve got the meaning 
of that legend on my locket and it’s the same as 
the one I found,” Mella said, when the girls had 
gone. “ Professor says that they were together 
once — he fitted them to-night. I grew up with 
mine, but where did the other come from and 
when did I lose it? How? It’s to know my 
past, — to find that I ” 

“ Can’t you tell your old doctor — your guard- 
ian’s — about it, Mella? Perhaps he could trace 
the owner of the one you found this summer. It’s 
like the lake and the rest of your feelings, isn’t 
it?” 

“ Yes, yes, and that down there — I was there 
in the slums once. I feel the terror, the sad, sad 


PLOTS AND COUNTERPLOTS 165 

feeling of It when Fm there. It’s just like a bad 
memory of something.” Mella’s eyes were full 
of tears, tears which never seemed to flow. 

“We all feel the sadness — It clings to us when 
we get away, Princess,” taking a hand In hers. 
“You couldn’t have come from there — you came 
from a castle,” smiling Into the beautiful eyes. 

“ Perhaps — my ancestors — came from some 
place where things were all beautiful; I love them 
so, but — It wasn’t since I remember. I’m not a 
child, Kathreno. Sometimes I feel I had all that 
far, far back with the lake and Mother. Oh, 
Kathreno, It’s to know my mother — my father 
— who I ami” 

“ Mella, you will. I know It! It can’t be oth- 
erwise. But, Princess, you won’t forget that 
Prof. Metronani Is thinking of you — not your 
parents? ” 

A blank, uncomprehending look was Mella’s 
reply to this tentative question of Katharine’s. 
“Of me? Oh, Kathreno, no! no! He is only 
kind. I could not think anything else. Why 
should he care for me — an unknown girl — it’s 
to help — he Is so kind — no, no, no ! ” as If she 
could not accept the thought. “ He’s just a dear, 
dear friend.” 

“ Mella, there’s no such thing — friendship 


i66 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 


with men — they’re not big enough — they don’t 
understand.” Katharine was almost bitter; the 
outburst was not for Mella alone. 

“ Mr. Bob? ” Katharine’s face flushed. 

“ No, no, Mella, you don’t know him. He’s 
not big enough, either.” 

Mella was thoughtfully studying Katharine’s 
face, her own trouble for the moment forgotten. 
Her attitude hitherto had been absolutely neutral 
as to the two sides of this vexing question of Bob 
and Molineux. ‘‘ There are some things you see, 
Kathreno, but — but I think you don’t read al- 
ways just right — Bob and the professor.” It 
was said so quietly, with that deep, impenetrable 
manner which Mella so often made her friends 
feel. 

** I — I wish I could believe itl ” 


CHAPTER XVI 

LEST AULD CUSTOMS BE FORGOT 

The population of the club-city began to in- 
crease so alarmingly “ just before Christmas ” 
that the city fathers found it necessary to enact 
very stringent immigration laws to meet the diffi- 
culty. A tax had therefore been levied of one 
cent per week on all citizens. This seemed in a 
measure to meet the situation. Everything was 
not “ free.” More effective than this was the 
information, passed about to would-be citizens out- 
side, that no presents were to be distributed by the 
workers. The time was to be one of joy-giving, 
the play was to take the place of offerings. 

This also had proved itself a problem. Every 
citizen longed to express himself upon the stage. 
In all classes the eternally human instinct for dra- 
matic expression is strong, and these children are 
from highly dramatic races. As all could not 
have a part, the workers were puzzling over the 
best solution of this problem. 

‘‘ I would suggest drawing for these parts,” 
Mr. Molineux ventured. “ There can be no feel- 
167 


i68 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 


ing then. We could stuff the box with marked 
slips, and arrange the selection; in that way we 
could get a good pick for the parts. What they 
don’t know, won’t hurt them,” smiling humor- 
ously at the effect upon his listeners. 

“ Well, I shouldn’t want to be cheated in that 
way ! Don’t we teach them to practice the golden 
rule, as the bottom of all good government? ” 

“ That’s really for their good, though, Miss 
Winters; they’ll get a better cast — more fun 
out of it in the end.” 

“ Ward politics in the club,” Bob remarked, 
looking roguish. 

“ I don’t think that Mr. Molineux really wants 
us to cheat; I see his point, but I think I don’t 
want it done, either. I suppose it may be senti- 
ment, but I would rather be able to assure them 
it was straight chance; you couldn’t if you did 
that” 

“ Well, I hadn’t really got as far as that. Miss 
Bird, — the wording could be managed, probably; 
but if you feel that way, why, just forget I men- 
tioned it,” smiling benignly, as if her wish were 
his only thought. 

Katharine always would look up at Bob at the 
wrong time. He had not had time to get his 
twinkle disposed of. “ It would be better if we 


LEST CUSTOMS BE FORGOT 169 

could choose them. There is Sammy; I do so 
want him to be GrumioJ* 

“ But, would that be doing it their way? It’s 
really their play,” Ethel suggested cautiously. 

“ You’re right, Ethel. We stick to the lots,” 
Katharine decided. 

That afternoon, in each ward, the plan was ex- 
plained. Now just what evil genius made Kath- 
arine select Molineux to make this explanation 
she could not have told, nor why she asked him 
to guard and conduct the drawing of lots by those 
ambition-torn little citizens. There were much 
pushing, some under-cuts, a little pinching in the 
line that filed up. The officers did their best con- 
sidering their own states of mind. Sammy was 
fairly pale. To take a real part and shine be- 
fore Miss Katharine was the cry of his heart. 
Mr. Molineux was eyed very suspiciously by him. 

“ Ee ain’t goin’ to plunk no trick on me, ee 
ain’t,” was Sammy’s muttered threat to his sub- 
ordinates. He sidled up in the rear and watched. 
Bob was moving about with books, keeping his 
merry eyes on the line and Incidentally upon the 
distributor of fate. Petruchid s and Katharine^s 
parts had been given to Molineux and Katharine, 
to insure a good play; the other parts were in the 
hands of the children. Bob, Ned, and Mr. Fry 


170 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

were to act as retainers of the court, to give it 
tone. Sammy, convinced that he had discovered 
things several times, waited till Bob should come 
by again. 

“ Ee done ’em! I seen ’im pushin’ slips out 
to ’em I ” This was Intended as confidential, but 
Katharine, passing just then, overheard. 

Bob laughed and patted Sammy’s shoulders. 
“ You’re seeing things, Sammy. Go on now and 
take your turn.” Sammy was not pacified. But 
when he drew the slip marked Grumio, his face 
was actually handsome. He had discovered noth- 
ing crooked about his fate. 

The next five weeks were a dream to Sammy. 
He tore about the streets cracking Imaginary 
whips, muttering his lines, until the officers of 
the beat were nearly convinced that his case 
needed an alienist’s skill. The club meetings 
had been converted Into rehearsals, and all the 
girls who could use a needle had been coaxed 
into helping to prepare the simple costumes for 
the occasion. All ward eight was coming — at 
least, all who had children In the club. A hall 
had been donated in the vicinity, and the entire 
octet, even to Polly, with Bob, Ned, Mollneux, 
Mr. Fry and a friend had been busy all day turn- 
ing the hall Into a bower of green. A large tree 


LEST CUSTOMS BE FORGOT 17 1 

was ready to be placed in the center of the hall, 
around which the tired mothers were to bring 
back the old folk-dances of their native Poland, 
after their children had finished their entertain- 
ment. 

The sight was one these care-free young peo- 
ple would never forget, — that hall of shiny- 
rubbed faces, shawl-draped, short-skirted women, 
young-old, and old-young, with strangely childish 
faces, some of them above gnarled bodies, mis- 
shapen, by early motherhood and battered lives. 
On the other side, their partners, standing for 
once — these twentieth century young dames so 
willed it — while their wives sat. That the hu- 
mor was not gone from them was proved by the 
slow kindling laughter of the adults at the horse- 
play of this rollicking farce of Shakespeare’s 
“ Taming of the Shrew.” Katharine made a 
capital shrew, nor was Mr. Molineux a backward 
Petruchio, 

“ More gamy than one would think. The 
boss comes out to-night!” Mildred confided to 
Ned, as they stood among the courtiers on the 
stage. “ I can’t endure him ! It’s beyond my 
light to see how Katharine can be so deceived. 
She’s usually so quick.” 

“ Playing it on Winters, eh? ” 


172 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

“ Can’t see why. Bob has to put In his oaf 
now and then to keep things steered straight in 
the club, — he’s right, always, but it’s usually 
against ‘ Molly’s ’ suggestions. I think Bob’s a 
darling.” 

“ There’s my cue.” Ned was off. 

“ Ethel, isn’t Katharine simply perfect to- 
night? I do wish you could make her see what 
a scamp that Mollneux Is. Sammy says he sorted 
the slips, he saw him — probably for the children 
of some of the patrons In his ward.” 

‘‘ She’ll see It, Mildred. Katharine isn’t blind 
— she really cares a heap for Bob, but she just 
misunderstands his fun and his opposition to Mr. 
Mollneux’s Ideas. He does let his fun hit hard, 
at times. In the meetings, and It does look sus- 
picious. You see Katharine wants Bob to fit her 
Ideal, and he has to be himself.” 

“ Bob’s an angel ! See what he’s stood, — 
Katharine’s way of keeping a fellow off at that 
ten-foot-pole distance while being so polite all the 
time. I’m glad Bob hasn’t crawled to her. He 
understands her better than she does him. There 
goes the last act; now for my seraphs, — Neddie 
boy hasn’t a bad feature, has he? ” 

“ Mildred, you really do care, don’t you? ” 

“ Good-by ! * Trip my Audreys ’ I ” 


LEST CUSTOMS BE FORGOT 173 

Inspired by the music or taken out of them- 
selves by the play, these tired-faced mothers 
danced around that tree, their little ones dancing 
with them until the old hall rocked with mirth. 
When Bob and his crew, abetted by the octet, 
passed among them with sweetmeats and hot cider, 
in which were bobbing apples, it seemed indeed 
that the old times had come back, and these men 
and women of far-off climes were at home with 
these hosts and hostesses of another world than 
theirs. 

The refreshments were followed by the Port- 
land Fancy. To catch glimpses of the four 
young men in their quaint Elizabethan costumes 
dancing “ all hands round ” with the short-kirtled, 
stout dames, and the young ladies guiding tact- 
fully their “ bearded pards,” as Mildred called 
them, was almost too much at times for the 
spirits of these young college people. Surely the 
days had gone backwards and the citizens of two 
worlds, two civilizations, were plunged into a so- 
cial group and were making merry withal. Only 
a glance or an appreciative pinch did they dare 
bestow upon each other as they met in the dance. 

Sammy’s moment of supreme bliss came when, 
almost breathless with excitement, it came his 
turn to encircle his Katharine. He never could 


174 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

have told how he got through that figure ; he only 
knew that Heaven had no temptation for him for 
some time afterwards I 

“ Sammy, you look splendid in that suit, and I 
was so proud of the way that you acted that I 
nearly forgot my lines.” Yes, Miss Katharine 
said these very words I Never again could For- 
tune touch him with her frowns. 

“ Katharine, the last time you were on earth 
you must have been a shrew — ’twas to the man- 
ner-born,” Bob remarked as they whirled. 

“ Time discloses a good many things, Mr. 
Bob.” She was gone, and Margaret was with 
him. 

“ Bobby, I’m proud of you in more than one 
way. I could eat you, you look so darling to- 
night. That eel Molineux I ” 

“ You’d have the worst case of indyspepsia you 
ever enjoyed — so’ll he some of these days.” 

So on down the line these dancers passed; these 
merry-go-round conversations were snatched by 
the octet and their friends in their progress. 

“ Hello, Neddie I Did you ever experience 
such fun in your life? It’s better than ten 
shows I ” 

“ Not half so good as one with you.” 

“ Pshaw I Grow broader, Neddie, in your in- 


LEST. CUSTOMS BE FORGOT 175 

terests.” Mildred was on to her next partner — 
that next was Bob. 

“ Sammy says he wants a job, Bob.” 

“What’s that?” 

“ Blacking the eye of that political economist — 
our worthy helper.” 

“ Sammy’s jealous.” Mildred had only time 
to laugh as she comprehended Bob’s meaning, and 
the twinkle In his eyes. 

Mella was dancing with a dark-bearded man. 
Her face was white. As they reached the door 
leading Into the hall. Bob had just taken her hand. 
“ Please, Mr. Winters, will you step Into the hall 
with me ? ” 

“ Miss Cosimo, something’s wrong; can I help 
you? ” 

“ No, I guess I’m all right now — would you 
mind taking me home? — I feel so tired — just 
tell Ethel and Margaret I was not feeling to stay.” 

Bob was back in the hall In an instant. In a 
very short time he had changed his clothes and 
he and the two girls were on their way home. 
Ethel and Bob laughed divertingly over the events 
of the evening, and Mella joined In bravely be- 
fore they reached the hall. 

Katharine had stolen out, beckoning to Sammy. 
She was troubled over Mella’s sudden departure, 


176 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

and so Sammy convoyed her all the way to the 
Hall door. Mella had gone to her room, where 
Katharine found her, and learned the truth. The 
dark-bearded man had given her another clue. 

“I remembered his face at first; It’s twelve 
years since he gave me to my guardian ; says some 
men left me with him and his wife, and they 
brought me up till I was five. Oh, Kathreno, I 
feel I’m going to find out more this week in New 
York I” 


CHAPTER XVII 

THE JUNIOR FROLIC 

The time-honored event of the junior year is 
always the Junior Frolic. The nature of the 
event must be kept a secret from other classes. 
To do this, requires much ingenuity on the part of 
the members. Perhaps, for this reason, the antic- 
ipation is as enjoyable as the event itself. Secrecy 
having been entirely monopolized by the mascu- 
line portion of the human race, the fact that 
they did accomplish the deed was due, no doubt, 
to their being entirely in a feminine world by 
themselves. 

At Margaret’s suggestion it had been decided 
to reproduce a scene from real ranch life as far 
as the big hall would adapt itself to such purposes. 
This required intimate knowledge of the terms 
familiar to that life. These they had first hand 
from two of their number who were ranchmen’s 
daughters. All their meetings had been held in 
Mildred’s room, because this spot seemed to be 
the farthest from the inspection of wily sopho- 
mores and seniors. Their difficulties were dou- 


177 


178 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

bled by the fact of four of their members rooming 
with seniors. 

“ All the more spice, girls,” Mildred had said 
when this condition had been lamented. “ We'll 
whip them out of their wisdom teeth!” They 
were in the hall at the time, reconnoitering. 
Whatever the difficulties had been, the feat had 
been accomplished. Ethel and Margaret had 
twice narrowly escaped being caught in their room 
working on the costumes. 

The night of the twenty-second of February ar- 
rived. Every bulletin board had been diligently 
censored lest some half-guessed fact be posted to 
give clever guessers a clue. All the afternoon the 
juniors had been carrying mysterious looking 
bundles to the hall. One senior declared that she 
had heard the clink of spurs, and that some scene 
from chivalry was to be enacted. The suggestion 
of spurs had made the cold shivers run down the 
backs of the juniors, but the closest vigilance had 
failed to discover so far any hint to the public. 
The doors of the hall had been locked all day 
and the curtains drawn. The night before, Mil- 
dred, Margaret, and Ethel had stolen out be- 
tween nine and ten and taken nearly all the bundles 
needed for trimming the hall, and locked them in 
the hall closet. Every precaution had been taken. 


THE JUNIOR FROLIC 


179 


even to delegating two of their number, who lived 
outside the dormitories, to spend the night there. 

The girls had all invited guests. As Ethel, 
Mildred, and Margaret had no friends near 
enough to come, they had invited their friends in 
the octet. Many of the juniors did not take ac- 
tive parts in these affairs. These, with the invited 
guests, occupied the gallery. 

At sharp six o’clock, as the girls were putting 
the finishing touches to everything, they were hor- 
rified by a scream of triumph from the gallery, 
where suddenly the senior banner was unfurled, 
accompanied by a cry of “ chuck, boys, chuck! ” 
The girls ran in wild excitement to cut off the in- 
truders’ retreat and keep them from spreading the 
news. As they reached the stairway, they heard 
a familiar giggle and hurried up to find Mildred, 
who had left, as they supposed, sometime before, 
with several other juniors, convulsed with laugh- 
ter at their mates’ discomfiture. Margaret was 
almost spunky. 

Well, I think you might get a better time for 
your jokes I ” 

“ Now, Margaret, you need to have some set- 
back after all this smooth sailing — I couldn’t re- 
sist. You were so cock-sure that we had done it.” 

Margaret was smiling in a moment at her own 


i8o MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

pique. ‘‘ I can’t really believe we have succeeded 
yet. I’m so glad it’s just you. I’ll stay here on 
guard till you get back, Mildred — I’ve my khaki 
suit here, so can change while I wait.” 

At just seven-thirty the guests began to arrive. 
It was a strangely foreign scene to most of their 
eyes. Only a few juniors had been on the com- 
mittee of decorations, so much of the whole ef- 
fect was a surprise. A green floor-covering had 
been laid, giving the effect of grass. All along 
one side of the hall were improvised carts, sev- 
eral effigies of bronchos tethered here and there, 
and a tent stood in one corner with the sign of 
“ X Ranch ” over it. At the other end was a 
huge steaming kettle on a tripod of logs, beneath 
a very realistic lire. Stretched between two poles 
was a diminutive effigy of a calf; beneath this 
were red electric bulbs, arranged in red paper to 
give the effect of a lire. Nearby was a handcart 
rigged up with canopy top, the back end of the 
wagon being let down to represent the “ chuck 
wagon,” at a real round-up, where the cook molds 
the biscuit dough. Before it, in khaki suit, top 
boots, and sombrero, with a knife and pistol in 
his belt, worked a savage-looking cowboy. Forty 
or fifty in the same costumes hurried about the 
hall, snapping their whips, jingling their spurs, 


THE JUNIOR FROLIC i8i 

and apparently getting ready for some Important 
event. 

In the middle of the hall, creating a great deal 
of mirth among the spectators, were cowboys 
lassoing some tiny toy animals. Then, all of a 
sudden, a thundering noise as of galloping horses 
was heard, and Into the arena a dozen cowboys 
galloped, astride long poles, the heads of which 
were stuffed to represent horses — black, brown, 
and spotted. They made the course, yelling and 
brandishing their whips, and firing off toy pistols, 
all their attention riveted upon the group In the 
center, at which they all at once began to throw 
their lassos. Then, apparently having thrown 
the animals, they galloped toward the center, yell- 
ing and encircling their mates excitedly. The 
word “ maverick ” was often heard. Other cow- 
boys rushed upon the scene, and the situation was 
wilder than ever. Then all hurried off. 

The orchestra began to play. Every cowboy 
stamped his foot and one of their number began 
to call off the Initials of the ranchmen, as the tally- 
book man would at a regular round-up, giving the 
brands. As each was called, he would dash to 
cover and return with a lady on his arm. This 
continued till all the fifty cowboys had secured a 
partner. Their partners were dressed in short. 


i 82 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 


white duck skirts, and sailor waists, the orange 
ties matching those of their escorts. For the 
most part the cowboys wore long mustachlos and 
Vandyke beards, which gave these girlish faces a 
most rakish appearance. Nor was there lacking 
a certain bravado that carried off the part. The 
denim leggins with loose tops gave the effect of 
high-topped boots, so often worn by cowboys. No 
difficult flight of the imagination was required for 
the guests to feel themselves transported to those 
regions about which, in play and story, hangs so 
much glamour. 

Suddenly there was a blast from a cornet, and 
an out-rider dashed forward and called out, 
“ Twine your partners I ” This was the first 
number on the programme. In place of the regu- 
lar brand, which distinguishes each ranchman’s 
cattle from his neighbors on the range, each cow- 
boy had placed the initial of his partner for that 
dance. 

Mildred led the grand march In her dash- 
ing style, dropping into a lively two-step at the 
end. 

“ All drill I Lead your partners to the chuck 
wagon I ” Each gallant pair galloped toward 
that wagon. On the shelf-like end of the wagon 
was a punch bowl filled with tempting fruit-punch, 


THE JUNIOR FROLIC 183 

from which a cowboy ladled to each thirsty guest 
a cooling drink. 

“ It’s far too clean,” Katharine chuckled from 
the gallery above, to Araminta. “ The cook 
doesn’t have wash day for that board once a year, 
my uncle says.” 

The second dance was called “Horse Wran- 
glers’ two-step,” in honor of the men who herd 
the saddle horses. There was a rush for part- 
ners, and soon the merry company was galloping 
over the plain to the tune of “ Hiawatha.” The 
cowboys who were without partners for the dance, 
circled with much gusto the dancers, cracking their 
whips, hallooing lustily; those dancing were whis- 
tling the air. 

Scarcely had the gallant hosts comfortably 
seated their guests after their strenuous dance, 
and begun to chat merrily with them, when the 
orchestra again sounded its note of warning. 
This was the “ Ropers’ waltz,” ropers being the 
men who lasso the cattle for branding. At the 
close of this waltz the outrider again called 
“ chuck ! ” following the fashion of the ranch cook 
when he has taken the lids off the pots, preparatory 
for dinner. 

Just as all were finishing their ices, the orches- 
tra sounded the reveille for the “ stampede quad- 


1 84 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

rille,” and instantly every cowboy was on his feet. 
In the spirit of this problem of a ranchman’s life, 
as if their partners were in very truth madly stam- 
peding, or in danger of getting into that state 
of panic, the cowboys galloped about for their 
partners, and, when once they had secured them, 
galloped off to their places for the dance. This 
fun ended in a cake-walk; but it would have been 
a hard task to have awarded the cake, so many 
were there among those rollicking couples whose 
feats were worthy of note. Yet the girls, many 
of them, felt that it should be given to Mildred. 

During the next intermission a cowboy dashed 
out on a tiny effigy of a bronco and presented at 
the end of his lasso a stewpan to Margaret, 
amidst shouts of laughter. To Mildred another 
cowboy presented a tiny stage, with two boys, 
dressed as women, sitting in front of it. So the 
evening passed, all the numbers bearing the names 
of familiar incidents in ranch life. The last was 
called “ Maverick’s Home Sweet Home Waltz,” 
in honor of those stray calves which are rounded 
up each year and rebranded or sold at auction 
if the brand is not clear. Immediately the girls 
began to sing this song, those in the galleries join- 
ing them. Thus ended the junior frolic of the 
class of 1911. 


CHAPTER XVIII 

UNWINDING SNARLS 

The plan of the club-city at the settlement 
seemed to be working. Even Mr. Molineux 
granted that it was an interesting experiment. 
Problems came up often that the lawyer among 
them could not solve — more often Bob’s ready, 
offhand ideas proved the talisman. The boys 
did not confide in “ Mr. Bob’s rival,” as they 
considered Warren Molineux. Sammy, loyally 
hitched again to his star, sullenly withdrew even 
from Katharine whenever Molineux made his ap- 
pearance in her vicinity. His opinion, no doubt 
was influenced somewhat by personal feelings — 
he rarely got an opportunity these days for walks 
over the bridge; Bob had been more generous. 

“ Want me ter pinch ’im one — I kin, w’en 
’es nosin’ round here wid the whole squeeze in 
de ward ? ” Sammy asked one evening when walk- 
ing consolingly to the car with Bob, who gravely 
^flanked Sammy, and told him he would let him 
know when he wanted the job done. From that 
moment the bond was indissoluble. 

185 


i86 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 


Margaret often got Into tangles over the prob- 
lems they all had to meet in this attempt at social 
work. “ Bob, I never seem to see it from their 
point of view. Katharine does and so do you; I 
don’t have the patience to wait.” 

“ Pegsie, you go at It too head-on; you don’t 
ever keep half an eye cocked on the landing 
place.” 

This day she was trying so hard. “ But, 
Jacob,” she was expostulating, “ you mustn’t eat 
In here — we couldn’t let them all, so you can’t — 
it would all be so dirty 1 ” 

“ Naw ’twon’t — just one,” eating his dirty 
peanuts greedily. Katharine entered in time to 
hear this part of the dialogue. 

“Jacobi” His roguish eyes looked up Into 
hers, his mouth too full for utterance, “ when 
I’m down In court, with everybody packed In close 
up to me, and I want to stretch out my arms so,” 
her fist ‘came fairly hard against Jacob’s nose, 
causing that young person to jump, “ why 
shouldn’t I do It if I want to?” Jacob grinned 
for answer. “ Well, now don’t you see we have 
to give up some things when there are a lot of 
us?” She had won. 

Things went on smoothly with the exception of 
these occasional ripples. Often, as formerly. Bob 


UNWINDING SNARLS 187 

seemed to be the one to demur at Molineux’s sug- 
gestions, sometimes at Katharine’s, when in his 
judgment they were not wise. This fact irritated 
Katharine. She felt that this opposition could 
be from no other reason than Bob’s jealousy, and 
that by this very act he was not carrying out her 
ideals of friendship. It seemed small — why 
couldn’t he be as generous as Molineux, who had 
helped to carry out Bob’s ideas so magnani- 
mously? That Katharine was not happy, even 
her merriest manner would not conceal from 
them. 

At the next executive meeting Mr. Molineux 
proposed securing the cooperation of the city 
street commissioners for that district with the 
juvenile commissioners, in an effort to bring about 
better conditions in that ward. 

“ Boys of this gang don’t tie up to city offi- 
cials, Molineux. We’ve got to educate them 
slowly to that point — you’ll only make them 
think we’re coming a deal with their enemies. I 
think the less our little commissioners have to do 
with ward politicians the better for their civic 
morals.” Bob was looking directly at Molineux, 
privately enjoying that gentleman’s confusion. 
Katharine lost neither the expression in the eyes 
nor Molineux’s embarrassment. 


i88 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 


“ That seems a good idea, Mr. Molineux,” Ig- 
noring Bob’s protest. 

“ I thought so, Miss Bird. I have never found 
city officials anything but clean men.” 

“So be it I Bring It up In the city council this 
afternoon; we’ll test it out there.” Bob replied 
in perfect good humor. 

When, however, the scheme was proposed, 
dark, suspicious faces met Mr. Molineux’s, and a 
long, sullen silence followed. “ Ee’s getting us 
pinched by de guys he’s workin’ for I ” Sammy 
declared in a grumbling stage whisper to his sup- 
porters. “ I’m fer digs ! ” That was the signal 
for a retreat. Nor could any protest on Moli- 
neux’s part avail. Bob stood quietly by and let 
things work out. It was his hour of triumph, but 
no sign of rejoicing was in tone or eyes. 

“ You fer that, too? ” Sammy asked, sidling up 
to Bob, as he and Margaret and Ethel were on 
their way to the car that night. 

“No, Sammy; and you stay by us — we need 
you.” 

“ Not fer no such gags as his’n! ” and Sammy 
was Immovable. His whole faction would with- 
draw from the club. 

“ You see. Miss Bird, Mr. Winters’ plan of 


UNWINDING SNARLS 


self-government falls flat when tested by practical 
relation to the city outside.” 

“ I’m not sure that you are right, Mr. 
Molineux.” She had never noticed how narrow 
his eyes were before. A pair of merry brown 
ones, with no cunning depths, came before her. 

“ I have seconded his work, but I did so to 
help you — I would do anything to help you — 
to make you happy.” 

Katharine started and drew away from the face 
looking so meaningly into hers. With the tone 
the whole winter’s episodes passed before her 
mind. How blind and silly she had been ! This 
then was his motive — wholly a personal one, not 
for the cause ! The hot blood mounted to Kath- 
arine’s temples, tears of vexation into her eyes. 
Sammy at that moment came around the corner. 

“ Oh, Sammy, I forgot about that walk I ” tak- 
ing her bag from her astonished escort’s hands. 
“ You’ll excuse me; I promised to walk over the 
bridge with Sammy to-night.” 

Before Sammy and Katharine parted, the truce 
had been cemented. The boys would come back. 
For the first time since the girls had known Kath- 
arine, that night she shut herself in her room and 
refused to see them. 


190 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

When the lights had been put out, Margaret 
stole into Katharine’s room and stood hesitating 
for a moment. She had been angered at Kath- 
arine’s attitude in the meeting that afternoon; she 
knew that something was wrong. Bob had per- 
sistently refused, during these trying weeks of 
misunderstanding, to discuss Molineux. He had 
been the same kind brother, yet he had feelings 
which he did not discuss with her, and she felt 
things were not on the same frank footing as of 
old. That his silence had been to save this im- 
pulsive, loyal sister from a hard position, she had 
not realized — it was Ethel who had pointed this 
out to her. She had been sure that her feeling 
toward Molineux was not wholly prejudice, for 
the other girls had felt it also. 

“ Katharine, I don’t care anything about whose 
side you take, I can’t see you suffer ! ” Katharine 
was sobbing as if her heart would break. 

“ Kiddie, please, not to-night — sometime we’ll 
talk — I know now.” 

In a second they were in each other’s arms. 
Not a word was said, but Margaret knew she had 
her old friend back again. 

A few afternoons later, Katharine and Bob 
were canoeing far up the Charles. It was late 
in May, and the first canoe trip since last fall. 


UNWINDING SNARLS 


191 

The old friendly relationship they had drifted Into 
tacitly, but they Intuitively knew the old footing 
could never be resumed without a frank talk. 

I got his point of view, at the last. Bob. If 
I had before. I’d never have put him out as I 
did.” Katharine’s victory over Sammy was under 
discussion; that subject was a safe bridge to lead 
them back to the old standing before their friend- 
ship had been obstructed. 

“Perhaps you’re right; you often are — In 
some lines,” the last was added, as If thinking 
aloud to himself. “ But If ever an urchin de- 
served a thrashing that scamp did, Katharine, and 
I still think It would have been good for him 
had you let me give It to him.” They were be- 
ginning on the edge of their first misunderstand- 
ing and working back to the present. 

“ It wouldn’t have done you any good. Bob, 
and we’d never have won him as we have — I 
think — I was right — in that.” It was hard 
for Katharine to talk, — strange lumps kept get- 
ting Into her throat. Bob did not look up from 
his half-hearted paddling. Both had been silent 
at long intervals during their ride up the river, — 
even Sammy and the club would not do this after- 
noon. 

“ Katharine, I’d have trusted you more — I did 


192 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

— friends ought to, even against appearances. 
You thought that I was jealous — I wasn’t; I be- 
lieved you meant what you said this summer — 
I knew you weren’t flirting; you’re too big for 
that, but — ” 

“ Bob, I — I once thought I was bigger, nearer 
to what I said that — that other talk — but I — 
I’m not ! I — I shouldn’t think you’d even want 
to have it — a — a friendship, now I ” The last 
was almost a sob. 

“ Katharine I — don’t — please don’t say any 
more — like that.” 

Bob’s eyes met Katharine’s — r they were full of 
tears like the voice. 

They were close up under the shade of “ their 
island ” when Katharine raised her head, and 
smiled through the wet lashes into his face. 
Bob never could have told you how he got that 
canoe back to the Ainsley landing — nor could 
Katharine have pieced out the account. 


CHAPTER XIX 

CLEARING-UP SHOWERS 

“ What am I offered, ladies, for this very val- 
uable piece of property, an Italian grammar, 
owned by a defunct member of this renowned oc- 
tet? It’s moist now with her tears from Gerry’s 
pleasantries in those far-off freshman days. 
Twenty-five, am I offered? Going, twenty-five, 
twenty-six — ah, that smiling face yonder I twen- 
ty-six for heart’j blood tears; they are worth 
more than plain ones — oh, an appreciative soul I 
twenty-seven for this tear-stained, thumb-marked 
bundle of memories! Ladies, I saw those tears 
fall four long years ago ; fall from the eyes of one 
soon to take upon her the sober, leaden brow of 
a senior — it was her first tiff. Gerry snapped 
his goatee, wabbled — ah, I perceive you all have 
grievances, each and all! come forward, gaze 
upon it! Here that snapped one’s thumb has 
clasped to steady her tottering memory, her over- 
burdened freshman mind. Let us open the book, 
my mates. I perceive you are moved. The 
word I turn to — how can I pronounce it?* — > 

193 


194 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

is heart!” Shrieks of laughter followed this 
tirade. 

Katharine was standing upon a packing box; 
around her, in little unordered heaps, was almost 
every kind of object usually owned by college 
girls, from discarded slippers to battered note 
books. Packed into the room and around the 
door, in the hall, were the majority of the girls in 
Ware Hall. It was the last Saturday night be- 
fore commencement, and Katharine and the other 
girls had advertised an auction of “ household ef- 
fects.” Katharine was keyed to a high pitch of 
mirth. Very close under the external gayety of 
the girls was a minor key, which each was trying 
to avoid, — their close life together was at an 
end. This allusion to a heart was very clever, 
for all knew that Rowland was seen frequently 
in “ his tower ” these days. Margaret had 
laughed with the others, but no sign of confusion 
was visible. 

“ Mighty queer how the auctioneer happened to 
hit upon that word ! ” Mildred commented dryly. 
Katharine was so sunburned from her frequent 
canoe trips that no additional color could be dis- 
cerned. 

“ Is this all I am offered for this trophy? The 
gift is thine, little sophomore; treasure it; it will 


CLEARING-UP SHOWERS 


195 

be a rich legacy — ’tis given thee I Ah, me I ” 
holding up a pack of freshman themes. “ Here 
are Rosy’s dainty pencilings. What fond memo- 
ries they awaken of the days — ” 

“ Look out, Puck, you’re on the wrong verse I 
It ends ‘ ’ere we were wed,’ ” Polly admonished. 
Even Katharine was a bit confused; as for the 
girls, — the auction was stopped for fully five min- 
utes. 

“ When, when, Katharine, right off after com- 
mencement? ” 

“Poor little Molineux, he suicided, 

Right into Eternity he up and glided I ** 

Mildred sang. 

“ Ladies, I must insist that the auction be per- 
mitted to proceed — Teddy Bear, will you kindly 
administer quiet to the fractious ones,” Katharine 
requested, unflustered by these attacks. 

Teddy at once placed a pillow over Mildred’s 
mouth. 

** Freshmen in your faded green, you are leav- 
ing the paternal shelter of Rosy’s eyes — no more 
— oh, my fond heart, can I go on? No more 
shall we see those purple ties, those sky-blue hose 
peeping out from beneath those creased trousers I 
What, what am I offered? To you, dear fresh- 
men, we would leave them, tender mementos. 


196 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

Dressed over, a little thought sprinkled in among 
the flowers, equally balanced, would appease the 
dear Doctor.” Groans greeted the name. 

“Add the smile; you ought to throw that In, 
Puck!” ^ 

“ Yes, Polly, I shall leave it. Be careful to 
administer the smile in even doses, always leveling 
above; be sure you heed the word — above the 
bald spot! I shall not be able to wear the smile 
after I have parted with these trophies,” sighing 
deeply. 

“ Poor Bob ! ” a giggle from several quarters 
greeted this exclamation. Mildred had escaped 
from the pillow. 

“What, no bids? Ah, that’s a brave little 
one! Ten cents! My dear, listen!” opening 
the pack and beginning to read : 

“ ‘ Round about the sacred elm, 

Danced the babies of the realm,*” 

“ doggerel is written in the margin by that heart- 
less, fastidious man; but you, you feel it’s poe- 
try — that’s only two lines! Listen, here’s an- 
other choice bit: ‘Yonder silently sentineling 
the passing years, yea marking off the centuries, 
stands that noble statuesque figure, his head bare 
to the winds of passing years ! ’ ” Applause 
greeted this. How many remembered Kath- 


CLEARING-UP SHOWERS 


197 

arine’s daring wager that “ Rosy ” would never 
know that familiar statue had on its head a Puri- 
tan hat all the time — well knowing that the flow- 
ers would win the conference man over to good 
marks. “ Just frills, girls, did it. You can’t get 
through these devious and perilous paths of con- 
ference men without compromising your esthetic 
conscience a bit. 

“ Is this worth only a dime? Oh, nobly done! 
Going, going at a dozen pennies — one more, 
and, because my heart is in the packet there, I will 
not raise it; it is yours. Captain Brown, when 
cares are pressing, take them and meditate on 
them ; they will give you heart.” 

Shouts of “ Oh, heartless one ! ” greeted the 
next object held up. It was a pair of red bed- 
room slippers, out at the toes, and pinned to them 
the Baby Stuart cap worn by Margaret in her fa- 
mous senior-freshman party, from which she had 
derived her nickname. 

Mildred groaned. Well she remembered the 
sticky, gluey bandage placed on her eyes that long- 
ago night when she, with her classmates, visited 
with the sophomores those Dantesque regions at 
the Hallowe’en party. 

“ I can feel that jiggling ladder yet, can’t you, 
Topsy?” Margaret asked. 


198 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

“ Can’t we hear the slam-bang of that gelatin 
pan on the fire escape, and see Baby Stuart fleeing 
along It, leaving her red slipper behind? ” Teddy 
added. Many of the girls had heard this story 
of freshman valor. 

“ I can never let them depart from our precious 
trophies. I shall never forget the thrill of that 
night, and when I see these, they will remind me,” 
Ethel cried. 

“ Well, Cinderella, slippers are just right for 
you ; but you must find the Prince your senior year; 
I’m getting worried I ” 

“You don’t need to; I’m the one to worry 
over,” Mildred piped up; “nearly cut out al- 
ready.” 

“They are yours; hide thy blushes; Topsy is 
busy being consoled In other quarters.” Mar- 
garet’s escort of freshman days had been seen In 
a canoe on the Charles with Mildred only a few 
days before. 

Katharine made another sortie into the pile and 
brought out a battered package of Economlcs- 
10 themes. “‘Is Marriage a Failure?”’ she 
stumbled on, nor did her tones falter as she fin- 
ished It In the Bedlam of fun all about her. “ ‘ Is 
Insanity Increasing?’ ‘Should Women be Given 
the Ballot?’ ‘Why College Women do not 


CLEARING-UP SHOWERS 


199 


Marry ? ’ ” she read on between each lull in the 
fun. “ Topsy, the most progressive and modern 
of all my adopted ones, I give and bequeath this 
priceless legacy to you; it will inform your wily 
footsteps, and, perhaps, warn you before it is for- 
ever too late.” 

“ Guided by your noble example. Puck, I need 
no such aid. I may learn something about run- 
ning settlement clubs and winning hearts; I expect 
to start one on improved methods.” 

“ Always consult Winters’ and Molineux’ fa- 
mous ‘ Guide to Beginners in Social Work,’ and 
you’ll have no trouble. Most inspiring!” Ara- 
minta advised. 

Mildred had been working in unobserved mo- 
ments to edge out of the pile a placard she had 
spied there. Katharine intercepted the act. 
“ Here, I’m auctioneer — that’s coming later I ” 
Some of the girls had seen enough of the gilt edge 
to guess to what it belonged, so a considerable 
anticipative merriment was evident in that portion 
of the room where Mildred was active. 

Katharine next picked out two faded Dart- 
mouth and Brown pennants. “ Those days ! It 
almost brings the tears, girls. Do you remember 
where they hung? Dear old Pie Alley! ” 

“ Pie Alley I Oh, Puck, my heart will never 


200 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 


cease to sigh for those freshman-sophomore days 
when wit, eloquence, wisdom, and tea flowed to- 
gether.” 

“ Yes, and fudge. Could you make some, 
Flossy, my dear? My mouth waters for it this 
very night,” Araminta begged; in which all joined. 

“ You shall once more have our pans. Do 
you remember those slavery days. Flossy? ” 

‘‘ Do I remember? Did I not then vow never 
again to mix another spoonful, and now Fm goose 
enough to be teased into it! Get the pans at 
once and let me be a-mixing it. Where’s the 
sugar. Puck? ” No one had dared suggest this 
would be the last time she would ever have a 
chance to do it for the girls of Ware — that sub- 
ject was industriously avoided by the girls to- 
night. 

“ I’ll get it,” Ethel cried, as Katharine resumed 
her sale. 

“ To thee, Topsy, I make one more bequest — 
these pennants for the sake of bygone days,” hold- 
ing the Dartmouth above the other. 

Mildred bowed profoundly and accepted the 
gift, placing the green across her heart, and gaz- 
ing reproachfully at Ethel. That young lady was 
too busy helping Flossy to notice the act. 

Polly had begun rattling the dishes preparatory 


CLEARING-UP SHOWERS 


201 


to making tea. “Here, girls, water! I must 
hunt up some lemons.” 

While Katharine was glancing through the rest 
of the pile still remaining to be given away, Mil- 
dred had succeeded in extricating the desired pla- 
card from the pack. Savory odors were coming 
from the bedroom, steam was pouring from the 
brass teapot on its urn. Suddenly a scream of 
delight brought Katharine to an upright position. 
About her neck Mildred had slipped the large pla- 
card Teddy Bear had made for her In her fresh- 
man days, bearing the word “ Engaged,” in old 
English gilt letters. Almost instantly from all 
sides bundles of every conceivable shape began to 
shower down upon Katharine’s lap. For once she 
was nonplussed, bewildered. For one moment 
she gazed about her at the funny looking packages, 
then she began deliberately to untie them. 

“ You engaged me, ladies, for your auctioneer; 
I am at your service.” From the first package a 
rattle fell out. When she could make herself 
heard, she cried, “ Polly, my dear, always keep 
the baby engaged with this when making tea, un- 
less the ‘Remnant’ Is by. You see, girls, the 
infant’s fate.” The water was already boiling 
over. 

“ This, ” opening a bib, “ I give thee. Baby 


202 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 


Stuart, as a memento from your godmother. 
And this to you, Topsy, to keep forever alive thy 
freshman days,” handing her a jumping jack. 
“ This will I keep,” It was a woolly Iamb. ” Ah, 
what fond memories, Kiddle dear, — dost remem- 
ber that night we hung out this sign? ” touching 
the placard about her neck, “ and made this in- 
fant? And this,” opening to a pen-sketch of a 
very large moon shining upon a pot of honey, 
“To the mooniest and sweetest of us all, dear 
Princess; ” and so on through a number of mimic 
housekeeping utensils, till she picked up incau- 
tiously a tiny umbrella, and began to raise it above 
her head. Polly had stopped pouring to watch, 
and Flossy stood in the door — all knew what 
was coming. It suddenly flew open, showering 
over Katharine’s wavy red hair the cleverly con- 
cealed rice. 

It was well that it was Saturday night. The 
noise brought Miss Blodgett to the door. There 
sat Katharine, the placard, with its suggestive 
legend, about her neck, the woolly lamb in her 
arms, and the rice peppering her hair. 

“ Won’t you come in. Miss Blodgett, and have 
some tea? the girls are practicing on me,” Kath- 
arine laughed, jumping to her feet, and bowing in 
a courtly manner to the matron. The Invitation 


CLEARING^UP SHOWERS 


203 

was declined, and the fun went on with the 
tea. 

“Now, Puck, It’s up to you to own up!” 
Flossy demanded, seconded by a dozen others. 

“ Well, I’ll admit I’ve had several very deli- 
cate hints that something of the sort Is wanted; 
but, girls. I’ll put you wise when the shower’ll be 
useful. Polly, one lemon and two sugars, please 
— same old way,” taking refuge, as In “ Pie Al- 
ley ” days, on the window seat beside Teddy Bear. 
Katharine’s face was much flushed, but the girls 
thought that they had never seen her look more 
fascinating. 

“ I hope I’ve disposed of the packages to suit 
your taste, girls ; they were not marked — Flossy, 
It’s the best yet,” helping herself to a generous 
piece of fudge. 

When all but the octet had gone, Katharine, 
throwing her arms about them, suddenly ex- 
clalnied, “ Girls, girls, I can’t, I just can’t say 
the ‘ dust to dust ’ act over these last days I ” and 
broke Into tears. They all wept. “ These years 
of life together are unlike any other life we’ll ever 
know,” she said when they were quieter, “ I’m 
happy — about — about the other, but this Is the 
end of it for us here.” 

They were the breaking ties; life was beginning 


204 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 

for these merry girls. It was late when they 
parted that night. Nothing of Importance was 
said by any save Mella. What she told them 
crowded out for the time even the morrow’s part- 
ing. 

“ Girls,” very gently, “ I’ve to tell you — my 
parents — they are, they are living — coming to 
get me.” 

“ Mella 1 ” they could not say more; it was not 
the time. Mella’s heart was too full just then; 
Intuitively they had learned to know when to be 
expressive with this friend. They knew she must 
tell It In Her own way. 

“ The old nurse Is here — I saw her yesterday. 
'The locket I found this summer, she lost; then 
my guardian’s doctor was called to see her, very 
sick. He told her of what I had found; I was 
stolen from her in the Bois, near Paris — my 
father and mother traced me to the West End 
of Boston. There they found the jewel half of 
my locket pawned. Then he left her to go to my 
mother, and Nurse has been sick long — that’s 
how they lost her.” 

“And the lake — down there, Mella,” Kath- 
arine asked eagerly. 

“Yes, yes, they’re all true, my feelings — I 
lived on Lake Geneva till I was four, then I was 


CLEARING-UP SHOWERS 205 

stolen; that — that man down there kept me till 
I was five. Then my guardian adopted me. Oh, 
girls, to know my mother ! ” — Mella was lost to 
them in the rapturous joy of her great discovery. 
The girls were silent. The blessing of mother 
and father had never seemed so priceless as now. 
They were to lose Mella, but even this was swal- 
lowed up by their great joy for her gain. 


CHAPTER XX 

TO SAY GOOD-BY 

“ Now, Bob, don’t be foolish ! I’ve never 
cared for Carl Fry, and I never shall. I told 
you, Bobby, and I meant it: I’m not going to have 
any man around to order me about but you. I’m 
used to your foolishness, so I’m not troubled by 
it. Now I’ve really got you settled, I’m too 
happy for anything else just yet.” 

“ Pegsie, my little pard, I’m plaguy relieved; 
he’s got to be higher up the ladder before I’ll 
quit my claim. You’ll always be my little pard 
— it can’t stop for any one; Katharine doesn’t 
want it to; she’s too big for that.” 

“ She’s a great deal bigger and a great deal 
nobler than you half know, Bobbie. You’re just 
as big, but I think men have to grow to under- 
stand our way of being big. Carl didn’t; that’s 
why I couldn’t love him. I’m sorry. Bob, but 
I never led him on; he just wouldn’t see that I 
didn’t care for him.” 

Margaret and Bob were lingering in her dis- 
mantled room. He had come up to pack the 
206 


TO SAY GOOD-BY. 


207 

books for tHe three girls. He was holding both 
his sister’s hands in his, and looking down Into 
her eyes, and thinking of the changes that had 
come since he first sent her here. This long- 
dreamed-of year together at college was over. 
How much of experience for both of them had 
been packed into it! The next year, her senior 
year, must be alone with Ethel. All the others 
whom they had known so well would be gone. 
Even Bob was not coming back, for his father 
needed him. 

“ Oh, Bobbie I ” Margaret pressed her head 
against the big chest, and the arms, which had so 
often shielded her, were around her. “ I seem 
to feel just as if the bottom were all gone, and 
that I should never know myself when I do stop 
falling. No Bob, no Katharine, to begin the 
last year; even Katharine’s not coming back for 
her P. G.I” 

“ No, but Pegsie, there’s Ethel; she’s a girl to 
tie to. I honestly think that I never saw a truer. 
I’ve sometimes wondered if Ned Baxter Is really 
caring for her, or playing it off on Mildred.” 

“ It’s not that. Bob; Ethel doesn’t care for him, 
I know. But he really is dear — I’ve always 
liked him.” 

“ Not going to be a rivalry? ” 


208 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 


“ Oh, Bob Winters, I do hope you’ll become 
less embarrassingly stupid before you marry 
Katharine; it’s very trying to have to associate 
closely with you under the circumstances I ” 

“ Well, Miss Peggarty, I’m sure this Intimacy 
was forced upon me,” holding her off at arm’s 
length. 

“ There ! I’m not equal to any arguments, but 
do try to be bright,” trying very hard to look se- 
vere. 

“ Then I’m to understand that there’s no dan- 
ger? I’m relieved. But if it’s necessary. I’ll 
thrash Ned — he shan’t play with Ethel. I ad- 
mire his choice — Mildred’s Interesting, but too 
varied for a steady tie down.” 

“ She’s really fond of him; sometimes I think 
she cares. She threw him over because she saw 
that she could never make him happy. There’s 
a great deal to Mildred. Mella has helped her 
as she has us all. Now you must go. Bob ; I want 
Katharine all to myself, to-night; you can have 
her to-morrow — that’s fair, isn’t it, you dear old 
naughty Bob ? ” 

“ I’m obedient,” kissing her In his old hearty 
way. 

An hour later Katharine and Margaret were 
deep In their trunks. It was impossible for 


TO SAY GOOD-BY 


209 

either to say more than passing nothings as they 
worked. This was the curtain on the last act of 
their three years of intimate life together. They 
had seen each other at the worst and best, for 
in such close relations the linings have to show. 
From each struggle they had come out nearer to- 
gether; new friends had come into their lives, but 
each new one had only crowded them closer to- 
gether as they made room for the new. Now a 
new bond held them, making the old even more 
tender because of the loving, manly heart to which 
each had given so much. 

“ I like that big house you girls are going to 
take next year. Bob and I went over it this morn- 
ing. It’s going to make it easier for Ethel to 
have her mother come and care for the girls who 
are going to be together — you and Ethel on that 
top floor — I can just see you dreaming dreams 
there in that big studio. I’m glad you’re not to 
stay here.” 

Margaret was very busy packing, in the bottom 
of her trunk. Tears were not so often seen in 
her eyes as in freshman days, but some were 
strangling her now, as Katharine said these last 
words. She went on packing with might and 
main. Cloud Katharine’s happiness she was de- 
termined she would not. Looking up suddenly 


210 MARGARET AS A SOPHOMORE 


from her work, she saw Katharine smiling down 
upon her, trying so hard to make the smile genu- 
ine. That was too much. Together they looked 
about the dismantled room; there was a half- 
hearted, pathetic attempt to be jovial; then they 
sank beside the trunk in a surrendered heap, close 
in each other’s arms. The tears came as tears 
only can come when hearts are young, and feel the 
first bitterness of parting. 

It was Katharine who first got control of her- 
self : “ It’s — it’s lots better than It might be. 

We can never live this way again,” there were 
some quavers in Katharine’s voice, and Margaret 
was gazing desperately at the opposite wall, ” but 
we’ve both got Bob. It will always be together, 
Kiddle. I loved him through you first. I al- 
ways wanted to know a man who was to his sister 
what he is to you. You’ve been so big about 
sharing him. Love like ours, Kiddie, can’t die; 
it’s the rock kind. I’m so glad Bob’s willing to 
have me try for myself two years’ teaching. I 
want to test myself every way first — that’s such 
a big step in friendship — marriage! We both 
need to grow to the idea, — and kiddie, just think, 
I’m really going to be as near as New York state. 
Think of ^iu b|[t]^w%s ! All our vacations 
together! ” Katharine wds radiant by this time. 


TO SAY GOOD^BY 


211 


“ Katharine, are you really going to be as near 
as that — in that academy? Oh, maybe I can 
stand it then ! ” It was so like the same old 
tragic despair that Katharine could not resist 
laughing, in which Margaret was soon joining, 
through her tears. 

“ Oh, Kiddie dear, what a real Baby Stuart you 
are yet! ” 


FINIS 


OCT 25^1912 . ^ 4^,, 

I*' # Vj Tf^ ■ A’ i 

ij® '■ ' • ' ”)■ ‘^5^ 

; ■ • rij-f ^ 


\t 


■J c-' 


'Ahii.y 


>i 


4 M 


5iV; 


1 l- 


vV 




M 


V.. r 


■ ,* ' 



■SWW- ivVi/ -* V- ‘ "'’•5'-VNi»^v‘?A*A^ffl8o 


I < 




^ W' -w 




**■ » ■ ' 




• \ 


:A '.. 


.’1 


>y\ 


y\f 


/ 

i. 


\ 'nSv ' • • 
'.\'V'' 


1 ' • 
\ . % 


\ l*: . 


1 >» 

>> > 


• • , I • ^ , , 

),*.,* ■ . . V ,' ^ \-b^. ■ ' 

j>, ^ . (T!-iV‘'--'Sr>X'« ' 


• ^ 


■• ■ , ‘WVCV ;■ 

■.■*•',' r . V .• 


.\ • 


#•’' 


s ■ 


• . . .1 ^ 

•'/’f i ■'■' ^ 


4 / .1 * •,' iii.. ,. .'.‘.r^ . - . ' '.. , ’^ v ., ''» '* 

ii.‘/* ■ -tv.-*'- ' < ' . w :; . . ‘ •' 


♦ ■ / .1 * •,' ill*. ,. r . .’ , ’ '., I '"' v ., <(s7 <;•' /'4 

fej;^.-v v ;^^?f,,'/.; t;,, v- ‘ * ' ■ ■• ■ .>*0-'^';j , 

^,. .' ; .;;; . ,:i:.V^4A-, ... ■ 

•■ '/■• -' ■■' - 'V/^'-jVi/ i<' ' VS', . ,* ■ 

|.:'pvr,'^iWp,‘- V- ■ '" 'V''' '. -■ •■■■' 


I*, I ,.'-'k.>, «• , - •*# . > .T' j,, j 

.:,., .-V ^ ;•'.•■' ■ ■ . 

inaa^M% . . v;, ■ /•... •.■!■,, : •V.j', V.,;- . 

-;> v ■/?■)<: v . \ ; . -.w 


% 

4 ' 


I ' 

• fl 


1 1 


» / 




i \‘^l 


■ I lf'' ' • 


. fV 


<1 

f • 


I i* ' . 

is. • ' * I 


.'C» ,‘ 
r-’N . 


1 I 


'v 


‘•j-j ■ , J $ ' 

4, ’ ' '''■»’^'‘ * 

y ' :.' '■■ • 

£ ' “I' • vi/ ''‘/V'! V< ■ ■ ' • 

f. ' ' . . ' . • •• ■/' YMfj Vfr'V . ,/ 

. , f'V.'rV,: ' ■■; 


- / • 


.';Vv. •' , .ff 

t . ' / , * « « 


• '. • » . M' 

f . .-^ y. '■ ' rt ■ , •; '/ '//,;■ ' “-a . 

- ;■ ' ■ v'v- •" • 

■ yiii' 


: . . ' '>■ .' .'(■‘■v". 




,> 


7 ' 


\r: 


S *i»w , I .*>• ■ , ' y • /. ■' 

W::v.YYY .; Ml 

ewiMfflraSls:^ 7 I-, . ,' V'V. >‘ '?< .■• ■ 


'i , > ■' .'i 


•'. i* 4 
',, ' T 


n-'-' 


W • i J I .* ' , 4'* a f . 

^ »' t ■" * 'll. '* • . . 

i'^ ii 


^ V 


/. 


F ,• • '* I .^HL. 

* * • K •’'?0 t. ' ,\ ' 

..r.v' 




i- 


• # 

.‘^W ■ ■ - •-.; ■- ■ ■ 


. , <■•' -I 






i j 


■'. V,' 


rlTr^ 



: ’f 


























- U V 

*4 0. *i 

v' *’>1'.^ C>( 

■' ■# 

°. » 

“ c,'^ « 

^ ^ 'o . * - ./\ 

.0' '^o ^ 

•p ^ 

- '^o 



J jP v\ *“ ^ 

'I 'v ^ . ♦ - 

.i. *..»’ .O-* -V 

* ^ ^ o < 

'- Cp , 

* A^ ^ ■ 

^ ^ --W/iy 

t 





"■ 

■*^0 

< 

« 

• < 

* 

«/l 

J 


^ v?’ ^ 

2 

- <^y °o 

<0 o 'o , ^ * \ 

0^ ..*'•, '^o ,4> 




O V 


'• 

AV ^ ^ Z' v^ %***•►* 

> ..cCV\M/Ao ^ x?', 

" C,^ '^.n o 

* A “. 

4 ' .0' O 'o . » - A 

% ^ rO"® 

'^o •jc ° 

« 



A -:yF 








\ 0 *7\ 

o^ *»,<.* 0-’ *.,,. 

aP ' 


rc^*‘ 4 '^ 



^ V S * V ' 

^ . 62. ^ • _ '' 



* 


'/ y ^ % 

0 ^ 0 ^ ^ ^ ^ G ^ ^ ^ 

" <’^<“' '^'=:<. .> '^ .. -'5 ' 

4*^ o /r\^>^^k^ ^ inJ> 



O 

O > 



• f,0 % ‘^ . 

® ® A® <5> 



» » 



<0^ ^ 'o.*" 

. t. ' • ^ < V C ° " ® -» 

I'd’ » X.i<^ ^ 

A V <?S^>»'^-‘ -7^ 



r. *" .0 






o iP VV 

“ " - “ " ®> 

5 ♦ • * * O^ 

v^V '<^'^ 







r 4f% C*' 



xV 

0 ^ 0 ^ <<> 



,<!>'' ^-v I 

.0^ o '...' A 

rv V ^ ^ ^ ^ o ^ 

(r J 

'K-. 1 !^ ® 

o > 


‘ 


c ® *: ® -* 




i * < 


DOBBS BROS. 

UBIIAIIV BINOIMd ^ 




jANia??.^ 

ST. AUGUSTINE 



• • \ 


’/ %'‘^‘/ V*-’- 

. * c • • • c\^ y ♦ ^ ^ 

V S ^ ^ X \ V ^ ^ 

. ^ ^ ZrA^^/V,*^ 1 

'/'V ** » '<^‘^ 

o 7y//vwNxxr- ^ 

"■o. oW^^ys^* AT 

■* ^ ^ — cr — 

32084 'o . » * ^/\ 



V 




A 






A M ^ 


L f # 



